Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 32
वाक्पारुष्यादिप्रकरणम्
The Topic of Verbal Abuse and Related Offences
पितापुत्रस्वसृभ्रातृदम्पत्याचार्यशिष्यकाः एषामपतितान्योन्यत्यागी च शतदण्डभाक्
pitāputrasvasṛbhrātṛdampatyācāryaśiṣyakāḥ eṣāmapatitānyonyatyāgī ca śatadaṇḍabhāk
Père et fils, sœur et frère, époux et épouse, maître et disciple : quiconque, parmi ces couples, alors qu’aucun n’est déchu du dharma, abandonne l’autre, devient passible d’une amende de cent (paṇa).
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, narrating dharma and polity to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Establishes a legal deterrent against unjustified abandonment within protected relationships (parent-child, siblings, spouses, teacher-student) when neither party is fallen from dharma, by imposing a 100-paṇa fine.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Hundred-paṇa fine for abandoning a blameless dependent/partner","lookup_keywords":["tyāga","śatadaṇḍa","pitāputra","dampatī","ācārya-śiṣya"],"quick_summary":"If one party abandons the other in key reciprocal relationships—when the other has not fallen from dharma—the abandoner incurs a fine of one hundred paṇas, reinforcing duties of care and loyalty."}
Concept: Reciprocal obligations (ṛṇa-like duties) sustain society; abandonment without dharmic cause is adharma and is penalized.
Application: In governance and community norms, protect dependents and students/spouses from capricious desertion; require due cause and process for separation.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma & Vyavahāra (Dharmaśāstra / Legal penalties and social duties)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A court scene adjudicating abandonment: a father and son, brother and sister, husband and wife, and teacher and pupil shown as emblematic pairs; the judge imposes a 100-paṇa fine on the abandoner while the blameless party stands protected.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, symmetrical composition with four pairs arranged around a central judge, gestures of separation vs reconciliation, coin tray marked 100 paṇas, warm earthy palette and stylized faces","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central dharma-judge under gilded arch, four relational pairs in ornate attire, gold-highlighted coins and decree scroll 'śatadaṇḍa', emphasis on sanctity of bonds","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional tableau with labeled pairs (pitā-putra, dampatī, ācārya-śiṣya), judge pointing to rule tablet, calm colors and clear didactic layout","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate court chamber, multiple petitioners representing the pairs, judge and clerks, fine detailing of textiles, a purse of coins as penalty, expressive but restrained emotion"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: एषामपतितान्योन्यत्यागी → एषाम् + अपतितान् + अन्योन्यत्यागी; शतदण्डभाक् → शत + दण्ड + भाक्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 257 (family/social duties; penalties for relational breaches)
FAQs
It imparts vyavahāra-vidhi (legal procedure): specific social relationships where unjustified abandonment (when the other is apatita) is punishable by a fixed fine (śatadaṇḍa).
Beyond myths and worship, the Agni Purana preserves dharmaśāstra-style civil norms—defining enforceable duties among kin, spouses, and the guru–disciple relationship, including quantified penalties.
It treats abandonment of a righteous dependent or partner as adharma: a breach of obligation that incurs both social punishment (fine) and negative karma for violating duty and loyalty.