Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 47
Determination of Boundary Disputes and Related Matters (सीमाविवादादिनिर्णयः)
अराजदैविकन्नष्टं भाण्डं दाप्यस्तु वाहकः प्रस्थानविघ्नकृच्चैव प्रदाप्यो द्विगुणां भृतिम्
arājadaivikannaṣṭaṃ bhāṇḍaṃ dāpyastu vāhakaḥ prasthānavighnakṛccaiva pradāpyo dviguṇāṃ bhṛtim
បើទំនិញបាត់បង់ដោយហេតុដែលមិនមែនពីព្រះរាជា (អំណាចរដ្ឋ) ឬវាសនា (អំពើព្រះ/គ្រោះធម្មជាតិ) អ្នកដឹកជញ្ជូនត្រូវសងទំនិញនោះ។ ហើយអ្នកបង្កឧបសគ្គដល់ការធ្វើដំណើរ/ការចេញដំណើរ ត្រូវបង្ខំឲ្យបង់ឈ្នួលទ្វេដង។
Lord Agni (narrating Rajadharma to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Assigning liability in carriage/transport: carrier compensates loss unless due to state action or force majeure; penalize journey obstruction by imposing double hire.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Carrier’s liability for lost goods and penalty for obstructing travel","lookup_keywords":["vāhaka","bhāṇḍa-nāśa","daiva","arāja","prastāna-vighna","dviguṇa-bhṛti"],"quick_summary":"A carrier must reimburse goods lost through ordinary causes; only royal seizure or unavoidable calamity excuses him. Anyone who obstructs departure must pay double the agreed hire."}
Concept: Accountability (dāyitva) and public order: risk allocation between private actors and exceptional causes (rāja/daiva).
Application: In transport contracts, define exceptions (state seizure, natural disaster) and otherwise hold carriers/obstructors financially responsible to deter negligence and disruption.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Civil & Penal Law; Duties and Liabilities in Trade/Transport)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A caravan scene: a carrier with pack animals before a magistrate; lost goods are accounted for; an obstructer is fined double hire for blocking departure at a gate/road.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, roadside caravan with oxen, royal guard at gate, magistrate pointing to scales and goods, bold outlines, narrative panels showing loss and judgment","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ornate city gate with gold work, carrier kneeling with bundles, judge with attendants, coins and goods depicted with gilded highlights, frontal iconic figures","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional tableau: labeled causes ‘rāja/daiva/anya’, carrier’s liability shown by ledger and restitution, fine linework and soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bustling bazaar-road, obstructer stopped by guards, qazi-like judge hearing complaint, detailed animals and textiles, perspective architecture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अराजदैविकन्नष्टं = अराजदैविक + नष्टम्; दाप्यस्तु = दाप्यः + तु; विघ्नकृच्चैव = विघ्नकृत् + च + एव; (IAST caiva).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 256 (rules on trade, hire, and penalties)
FAQs
It gives a rule of civil liability: a carrier must compensate for lost goods unless the loss is attributable to state action or uncontrollable divine causes; and obstructing someone’s departure incurs a penalty of paying double the wage/hire.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical governance material—commercial regulation, transport responsibility, and penal assessments—showing it functions as a compendium of dharma, administration, and everyday legal norms.
By enforcing fair compensation and deterring obstruction, the verse upholds dharma in livelihood and travel—reducing harm (hiṃsā) and injustice, which are treated as sources of negative karma for both individuals and society.