Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 18
Divya-pramāṇa-kathana
Explanation of Divine Proofs / Ordeals and Evidentiary Procedure
समाप्ते ऽर्थे ऋणी नाम स्वहस्तेन निवेशयेत् मतं मे ऽमुकपुत्रस्य यदत्रोपरिलेखितं
samāpte 'rthe ṛṇī nāma svahastena niveśayet mataṃ me 'mukaputrasya yadatroparilekhitaṃ
ពេលប្រតិបត្តិការបានបញ្ចប់ អ្នកជំពាក់គួរចុះឈ្មោះដោយដៃខ្លួនឯង (ជាការទទួលស្គាល់) ដោយសរសេរថា៖ «នេះជាការយល់ព្រមរបស់ខ្ញុំ—របស់អមុកៈ កូនប្រុសអមុកៈ—ដូចដែលបានសរសេរខាងលើក្នុងឯកសារនេះ»។
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Creating enforceable debt instruments by requiring the debtor’s handwritten acknowledgment and explicit assent formula.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Rṇī-svahasta-sammati (Debtor’s handwritten assent clause)","lookup_keywords":["rni","svahasta","sammati","rnalekha","matam me"],"quick_summary":"After completion of the transaction, the debtor must personally write an assent line identifying himself (and his father) to bind the obligation and reduce later denial."}
Concept: Svīkāra (explicit consent) as a pillar of valid vyavahara; personal agency evidenced by svahasta.
Application: Ensure the obligor writes an acknowledgment in their own hand (or equivalent verified mark) to prevent repudiation.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Legal Procedure, Contracts, Debt Instruments)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A debtor, seated before a scribe, writes with his own hand an assent line on a completed debt document, naming himself as the son of a named father; the creditor observes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, debtor holding stylus over palm-leaf or paper, writing 'matam me' assent line, creditor beside, warm earthy tones, minimal background with courtly decor","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold accents, central focus on the debtor’s hand writing the assent clause, ornate desk and lamps, creditor and clerk in rich garments, the document highlighted with gilded border","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic composition showing the exact placement of the debtor’s handwritten assent at the end of the main text, clear facial expressions of agreement, refined pastel palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, close attention to calligraphy and pen case, debtor inscribing his name and patronymic, creditor leaning in, patterned carpet, architectural niche behind"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"formal","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: samāpte 'rthe = samāpte arthe (अकार-सन्धि); me 'muka- = me amuka-; yad atropari- = yat atra upari- (त् + अ → द्/त् sandhi in recitation; normalized as yat atra).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 254 (debt instruments and documentary proof)
FAQs
It teaches documentary legal practice: the debtor must personally inscribe his identifying acknowledgment (name/patronymic and assent) on the debt instrument to strengthen its evidentiary validity.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical governance and jurisprudence—here, rules for drafting enforceable written contracts and establishing proof through the debtor’s own handwriting.
By formalizing truthful acknowledgment of obligation, it supports dharmic conduct—reducing dispute, curbing deceit, and encouraging righteous repayment, which is treated as ethically purifying in dharma literature.