Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 21
Chapter 253 — व्यवहारकथनम्
The Account of Legal Procedure
चरित्रं बन्धककृतं सवृद्धं दापयेद्वनं सत्यङ्कारकृतं द्रव्यं द्विगुणं प्रतिदापयेत्
caritraṃ bandhakakṛtaṃ savṛddhaṃ dāpayedvanaṃ satyaṅkārakṛtaṃ dravyaṃ dviguṇaṃ pratidāpayet
ಅಡಮಾನ-ಸಾಲದ ಬಾಕಿಯನ್ನು ವೃದ್ಧಿ (ಬಡ್ಡಿ) ಸಹಿತ ವಸೂಲಿಸಬೇಕು. ಆದರೆ ವಂಚಕ ‘ಸತ್ಯ-ದೃಢೀಕರಣ/ಸತ್ಯಙ್ಕಾರ’ದಿಂದ ಪಡೆದ ಧನ/ವಸ್ತುವನ್ನು ದ್ವಿಗುಣವಾಗಿ ಹಿಂದಿರುಗಿಸುವಂತೆ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು।
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Court enforcement: recover pledge-debt with agreed increase; punish fraud in oath-based confirmation by ordering double restitution.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Recovery of Pledge-Debt with Interest; Double Restitution for Fraudulent Oath-Confirmation","lookup_keywords":["bandhaka debt","vriddhi interest","satya-ankara fraud","double repayment","legal compulsion"],"quick_summary":"A pledge-debt is to be repaid with its accrued increase; but property obtained through fraudulent oath-confirmation must be returned at twice the amount as a deterrent."}
Concept: Satya (truth) is protected by punitive restitution; unjust gain via false sanctification is strongly penalized.
Application: In adjudication, distinguish legitimate interest from fraudulent acquisition; apply enhanced restitution to discourage perjury and ritualized deceit.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Dharma-shastra / Legal Procedure)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A judge orders repayment: one side shows a debtor repaying principal plus interest; another shows a fraudster swearing falsely before a fire/ritual token and then being compelled to return double coins.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: courtroom with dharma-judge; left panel repayment with added coins; right panel false oath near sacred fire, judge’s stern gesture indicating 'double'; strong reds, ochres, stylized flames","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-leaf coins and decree scroll; sacred fire rendered with ornate gold; contrasting halos—truthful party calm, fraudster anxious; double-stack of coins emphasized","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear instructional split-scene—'vriddhi sahita' repayment and 'dviguna' restitution; neat accounting visuals, restrained palette, precise gestures","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed ritual setting with fire altar and witnesses; court scribe records '2x'; piles of coins and textiles rendered finely; expressive faces showing guilt and authority"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"solemn","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दापयेद्वनम् = दापयेत् + वनम्; compound bandhakakṛtam = बन्धक-कृतम्; satyaṅkārakṛtam = सत्यङ्कार-कृतम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 253 (vyavahara penalties and repayment norms)
FAQs
It gives a rule of vyavahāra (juridical procedure): pledge-debts are to be recovered with their increase (vṛddhi/interest), while wealth obtained through a deceitful sworn attestation is to be restored at double.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana also preserves practical civil-law norms—how courts handle pledges, interest, fraud, and restitution—showing its broad, handbook-like scope.
It frames fraud by false oath as a serious adharma: the doubled repayment functions as both restitution and moral deterrence, aligning social justice with karmic accountability.