Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 21
Determination of Boundary Disputes and Related Matters (सीमाविवादादिनिर्णयः)
विक्रेतुर्दर्शनाच्छुद्धिः स्वामी द्रव्यं नृपो दमम् क्रेता मूल्यं समाप्नोति तस्माद्यस्तत्र विक्रयी
vikreturdarśanācchuddhiḥ svāmī dravyaṃ nṛpo damam kretā mūlyaṃ samāpnoti tasmādyastatra vikrayī
विक्रेता के केवल उपस्थित होने से शुद्धि तथा संदेह-निवारण हो जाता है। स्वामी को द्रव्य मिलता है, राजा दण्ड (जुर्माना) लेता है और क्रेता अपना मूल्य वापस पाता है। इसलिए वहाँ जिसने वस्तु बेची, वही उत्तरदायी माना जाता है।
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Adjudicating disputes involving stolen/lost goods sold in the market: allocating restitution (property to owner, price to buyer) and imposing fine on the culpable seller under royal authority.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Restitution in Sale of Suspect/Stolen Goods (Seller Liability)","lookup_keywords":["stolen goods sale","restitution buyer price","fine to king","seller liability","property to owner"],"quick_summary":"When suspect goods are traced to a sale, the owner is restored the property, the buyer is refunded the price, and the king levies a fine—placing responsibility on the seller who transacted the sale."}
Concept: Vyavahāra-dharma: restoration of rightful ownership and deterrence through fines; transactional responsibility rests on the seller in tainted sales.
Application: Maintain records/witnesses in trade; promptly present oneself before authorities; ensure provenance of goods to avoid liability.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Civil/Criminal Law; Transactions and Purification Rules)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal court where a seller is summoned; the recovered goods are handed back to the owner, the buyer receives coins as refund, and the king’s officer records a fine against the seller.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, a dharmic king on a throne with attendants, merchant-seller standing with folded hands, owner receiving a bundle of goods, buyer receiving coins, palm-leaf ledger, ornate court pillars","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf, central crowned king with halo, stylized court, seller in humble posture, owner holding recovered property, buyer holding a pouch of coins, rich textiles and gilded borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework, instructional courtroom tableau, labeled figures (king, seller, buyer, owner), scribe writing fine assessment, balanced composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed durbar scene, fine textiles and architecture, officials presenting recovered goods, buyer refunded, seller penalized, precise depiction of coins and documents"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विक्रेतुर्दर्शनाच्छुद्धिः = विक्रेतुः + दर्शनात् + शुद्धिः; तस्माद्यस्तत्र = तस्मात् + यः + तत्र.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 256 (Vyavahāra/Rājadharma section: theft, recovery, fines)
FAQs
It teaches a technical rule of vyavahāra (legal procedure) for disputed sales: the seller must be produced/appear; the owner is restored the goods, the state levies a fine, and the buyer is repaid—fixing liability on the seller.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical civil-law norms—allocation of property, fines, and refunds in commercial disputes—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of governance and jurisprudence alongside ritual and devotion.
By enforcing restitution and penalty, it frames honest trade as dharma: wrongful sale incurs punitive karma (fine and blame), while rightful restoration and repayment uphold moral order and social purity (śuddhi).