Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 19
Determination of Boundary Disputes and Related Matters (सीमाविवादादिनिर्णयः)
स्वं लभेतान्यविक्रीतं क्रेतुर्दोषो ऽप्रकाशिते हीनाद्रहो हीनमूल्ये वेलाहीने च तस्करः
svaṃ labhetānyavikrītaṃ kreturdoṣo 'prakāśite hīnādraho hīnamūlye velāhīne ca taskaraḥ
Si l’objet est à soi et n’a pas été vendu validement, on doit le recouvrer. Lorsqu’un défaut n’est pas divulgué, la faute incombe à l’acheteur. Si le prix payé est inférieur à la valeur juste, la vente est nulle ; et si le délai prescrit n’est pas observé, le demandeur est tenu pour voleur.
Lord Agni (teaching sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Sets rules for recovery of one’s property and validity of sale: addresses title, disclosure of defects, fair price, and limitation periods—useful for adjudicating commerce disputes and theft-claims.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Commerce Disputes: Title, Defects, Price, and Time-Limit","lookup_keywords":["vyavahara sale","defect disclosure","fair price","time limit vेला","recovery of property"],"quick_summary":"One may reclaim an item that is truly one’s own and not validly sold. Non-disclosure of defects, underpricing, and missing the prescribed time-limit affect fault and legal standing, even risking treatment as a thief if procedure is ignored."}
Concept: Dharma in trade requires truthful dealing, fair valuation, and timely lawful procedure; otherwise even a rightful claimant can incur blame.
Application: In disputes: verify title and proof of sale; check whether defects were disclosed; compare price to customary value; enforce limitation periods to prevent self-help and disorder.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Dharma-shastra: civil and criminal law, commerce)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A marketplace dispute: a claimant identifies his property; a buyer and seller argue over undisclosed defects and price; a judge points to a time-limit record while guards stand by.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; bazaar with stylized stalls; judge seated with palm-leaf records; claimant pointing to an item; seller gesturing defensively; visual emphasis on dharma and order.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style; ornate market-court scene with gold detailing; the disputed object centered; coin scales and price tokens shown; judge and attendants in rich attire.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting; clear instructional depiction of defect disclosure (object shown with flaw), price comparison with scales, and a calendar/time-limit tablet; calm explanatory layout.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; lively bazaar with fine details; qazi and scribes; buyer, seller, and claimant; scales, coins, and a written deed; expressive faces and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: लभेतान्यविक्रीतं = लभेत + अन्य-विक्रीतम्; क्रेतुर्दोषो = क्रेतुः + दोषः; दोषोऽप्रकाशिते = दोषः + अप्रकाशिते
Related Themes: Agni Purana 256 (vyavahara: theft, recovery, sale validity)
FAQs
It imparts vyavahāra-vidyā (practical jurisprudence): rules for reclaiming property, liability in sales when defects are undisclosed, and how deficient payment or missing legal time-limits affect validity and criminal attribution.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana codifies actionable civil and commercial norms—ownership, sale validity, buyer–seller duties, and theft—showing its wide coverage of governance and legal administration.
It frames honesty in trade and respect for rightful ownership as dharma; violating disclosure and fair dealing leads to adharma with karmic demerit, while just recovery and lawful conduct support societal order (ṛta/dharma).