Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 14
Determination of Boundary Disputes and Related Matters (सीमाविवादादिनिर्णयः)
महोत्क्षोत्सृष्टपशवः सूतिकागन्तुका च गौः पालो येषान्तु मोच्या दैवराजपरिप्लुताः
mahotkṣotsṛṣṭapaśavaḥ sūtikāgantukā ca gauḥ pālo yeṣāntu mocyā daivarājapariplutāḥ
Les bêtes relâchées lors d’une grande fête, la vache venant de vêler et la vache égarée ou de passage—avec leur gardien—doivent être relâchées (sans saisie ni peine). De même, ceux que submerge un fléau envoyé par le destin ou par le roi (c’est-à-dire un désastre public) sont exemptés.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s didactic dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Specifying exemptions from seizure/penalty for certain cattle situations (festival release, newly-calved cow, stray/guest cow) and for persons affected by public calamity; guiding humane and administratively consistent enforcement.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Exemptions: festival-released animals, newly-calved cow, guest cow, calamity-stricken persons","lookup_keywords":["mahotsava utsṛṣṭa paśu","sūtikā gauḥ","āgantukā gauḥ","pāla mocya","daiva-rāja-paripluta"],"quick_summary":"Certain animals and their keepers are not to be detained or penalized—especially in festival contexts, postpartum conditions, or when the animal is a stray/guest. Those overwhelmed by public calamity (fate/royal disaster) are likewise exempted, reflecting compassion and administrative prudence."}
Concept: Dharma includes apavāda (exceptions) grounded in compassion, social custom (festival), and force majeure (calamity).
Application: Administrators codify exemptions to prevent unjust punishment during extraordinary circumstances and to protect vulnerable beings (postpartum cattle).
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Vyavahara (Dharma-shastra: legal rules on cattle, fines, and exemptions)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A festival day where animals are ceremonially released; a newly-calved cow with calf is protected by villagers; a stray cow is welcomed; officials waive penalties for keepers and for people affected by a flood-like calamity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple-festival ambience with flags and lamps, cattle being released, a sūtikā cow with calf sheltered, compassionate officials gesturing release, background showing flood waters as calamity motif","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-embellished festival pavilion, sacred cow and calf central, officials holding a decree of exemption, villagers offering fodder to a guest cow, shimmering gold highlights","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, narrative clarity: panels for festival release, postpartum cow care, guest cow reception, calamity relief; fine lines and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, lively festival procession, detailed cattle and attendants, an official sealing an exemption order, distant scene of inundation with people being aided, rich textiles and architecture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Madhyamavati","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: महोत्क्षोत्सृष्टपशवः = महोत्क्ष + उत्सृष्ट + पशवः (compound); येषान्तु = येषाम् + तु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 256 (paśu-doṣa exemptions and liabilities); Agni Purana Rajadharma on relief during calamities
FAQs
It gives a vyavahāra (legal) rule: certain categories of cattle (festival-released, newly calved, and stray/guest cows) and their keeper are exempt from seizure or penal liability, especially in circumstances of public calamity.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical civil-jurisprudence (rajadharma/vyavahāra) on livestock management, responsibility, and exceptions—showing the Purana as a handbook of governance and social regulation.
Protecting cows and not punishing those affected by unavoidable calamity is framed as dharma: it reduces harm (hiṃsā) and upholds compassionate, righteous kingship, thereby supporting merit and social order.