Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 10
Chapter 255: दायविभागकथनम्
On the Division of Inheritance
पितृभ्यां यस्य यद्दत्तं तत्तस्यैव धनं भवेत् पितुरूर्ध्वं विभजतां माताप्यंशं समं हरेत्
pitṛbhyāṃ yasya yaddattaṃ tattasyaiva dhanaṃ bhavet piturūrdhvaṃ vibhajatāṃ mātāpyaṃśaṃ samaṃ haret
माता-पिता ने जिसे जो दिया है, वह उसी का धन होता है। पिता के देहान्त के बाद, जब वारिस विभाजन करें, तब माता भी समान अंश प्राप्त करे।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purana’s dharma/legal instruction section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Distinguishing gifted property (parents’ gifts) as separate ownership and ensuring the mother’s equal share in partition after the father’s death.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Matr-amsa samatva and parental gifts as separate property","lookup_keywords":["pitrbhyam dattam","svadhanam","pitur urdhvam","vibhaga","mata amsha"],"quick_summary":"Parental gifts become the recipient’s own property; after the father’s death, the mother is entitled to an equal share in the division—key rules for estate planning and partition."}
Concept: Recognition of individual property via valid gift and safeguarding the mother’s economic security through equal partition share.
Application: When drafting settlements, separate gifted assets from divisible estate; in partition, compute mother’s equal portion alongside heirs to prevent dispossession.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Vyavahara (Inheritance and Partition Law)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A post-funeral family division: heirs measure out shares; the mother sits with dignity receiving an equal portion; a separate pile marked as ‘gifted property’ remains with its recipient.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, domestic sabha: mother centrally seated, sons dividing wealth with measuring rods, separate bundle labeled ‘dattam’, solemn but orderly mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, mother with ornate sari and gold accents receiving equal share, piles of coins and grain with gold highlights, symmetrical composition emphasizing fairness.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional partition scene: clear separation of ‘gift property’ vs ‘estate’, mother’s equal share shown with measured heaps, fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, inheritance division in a courtyard, mother receiving her portion, scribes recording, careful depiction of objects and account books."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tattasyaiva = tat + tasya + eva; piturūrdhvam = pituḥ + ūrdhvam; mātāpyaṃśam = mātā + api + aṃśam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 255 (stridhana/partition-adjacent rules; heir shares)
FAQs
It imparts dāya-vibhāga (inheritance/partition) doctrine: parental gifts become the recipient’s separate property, and upon the father’s death the mother is entitled to an equal share in the division.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical Dharma-shastra material—civil norms on property, heirs, and partition—showing its coverage of governance and social law alongside spiritual topics.
By prescribing fair division and recognizing the mother’s rightful share, it frames family wealth distribution as dharmic conduct—reducing conflict, upholding justice, and supporting righteous household order (gṛhastha-dharma).