Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 13
Chapter 226 — राजधर्माः
Rājadharma: Royal Duties and Daṇḍanīti
अकाले तु त्यजन् भृत्यं दण्ड्यः स्यात्तावदेव तु क्रीत्वा विक्रीय वा किञ्चिद्यस्येहानुशयो भवेत्
akāle tu tyajan bhṛtyaṃ daṇḍyaḥ syāttāvadeva tu krītvā vikrīya vā kiñcidyasyehānuśayo bhavet
असमय में सेवक को निकालने वाला उतने ही दण्ड का भागी होता है। इसी प्रकार कोई वस्तु खरीदकर या बेचकर बाद में पछताए और लौटाना चाहे, तो वही नियम लागू होता है।
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Employment termination norms and buyer–seller rescission rules; basis for fines/penalties in disputes over untimely dismissal or remorseful retraction after a transaction.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Fine for untimely dismissal and for rescinding a concluded sale/purchase","lookup_keywords":["akāla-tyāga","bhṛtya-tyāga","kraya-vikraya","anuśaya","daṇḍa"],"quick_summary":"Dismissing a servant at an improper time attracts a fine; similarly, retracting a purchase/sale merely due to later regret is penalized by an equivalent fine, discouraging instability in contracts."}
Concept: Stability of agreements and fairness in dependent relationships; daṇḍa as a regulator of social trust.
Application: Use fines to deter arbitrary dismissal and capricious contract reversal; encourage timely, transparent decision-making.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Law, Governance, Civil/Criminal Procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal court where a judge records a complaint: a master dismisses a servant at an improper time; beside them merchants argue over a sale as one party expresses regret; the king’s officer assesses a fine.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat bold colors, ornate court pavilion, seated king with palm-leaf ledger, servant with folded hands, merchants with cloth bundles, daṇḍa (staff) symbol of justice, traditional jewelry and textiles","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central enthroned king with gold-leaf halo and arch, attendants holding scrolls, two vignettes below: servant dismissal and marketplace sale dispute, rich reds and greens, embossed gold detailing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean linework and soft shading, instructional court scene with labeled gestures: dismissal, contract exchange, fine assessment, calm judicial composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed durbar interior, scribes and qazis-like officials, merchants presenting goods, servant petitioning, fine being counted in coins, intricate textiles and architectural perspective"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्यात्+तावत्+एव → स्यात्तावदेव; किञ्चित्+यस्य+इह+अनुशयः → किञ्चिद्यस्येहानुशयः (किञ्चित्→किञ्चिद् before y; इह+अनुशयः → इहानुशयः)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 226 (Vyavahāra/daṇḍa topics); Agni Purana sections on rājadharma and daṇḍanīti (adjacent verses)
FAQs
It teaches vyavahāra-vidyā (practical legal procedure): fines for untimely dismissal of a servant and for attempting to retract a concluded sale/purchase due to later regret.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana preserves rajadharma and civil law—covering employment relations and commercial transactions—showing it functions as a compendium of governance and social order.
By restraining arbitrary dismissal and capricious reversals in trade, it promotes dharma in livelihood and fairness in dealings, reducing harm (hiṃsā) and deceit that generate negative karma.