Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 23
Determination of Boundary Disputes and Related Matters (सीमाविवादादिनिर्णयः)
हृतं प्रनष्टं यो द्रव्यं परहस्तादवाप्नुयात् अनिवेद्य नृपे दण्ड्यः स तु षन्नयतिं पणान्
hṛtaṃ pranaṣṭaṃ yo dravyaṃ parahastādavāpnuyāt anivedya nṛpe daṇḍyaḥ sa tu ṣannayatiṃ paṇān
ಇತರರ ವಶದಿಂದ ಕದ್ದೊಯ್ಯಲ್ಪಟ್ಟ ಅಥವಾ ಕಳೆದುಹೋದ ದ್ರವ್ಯವನ್ನು ಯಾರಾದರೂ ಮರಳಿ ಪಡೆದು, ರಾಜನಿಗೆ ತಿಳಿಸದೆ ಇಟ್ಟರೆ ಅವನು ದಂಡನೀಯನು. ಅವನ ದಂಡ ತೊಂಬತ್ತಾರು ಪಣಗಳು (paṇa).
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Regulating recovery of stolen/lost property: mandatory reporting to the king; penalizing private retention or concealment even if the property was recovered from another’s possession.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Duty to Report Recovered Stolen/Lost Property; Fine of Ninety-Six Paṇas","lookup_keywords":["recovered stolen property","mandatory reporting","fine 96 panas","concealment","royal notice"],"quick_summary":"Recovering stolen or lost goods does not confer a right to keep them secretly; failure to report to the king incurs a fixed fine of ninety-six paṇas."}
Concept: Public accountability in property matters: concealment undermines justice; the king is the nodal authority for restoring rightful ownership.
Application: If you find or recover property, document and report promptly to lawful authority; avoid private settlement that bypasses due process.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Law, Governance, Penal Codes)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A person retrieves a stolen bundle from someone else’s house but hesitates; then is brought before the king, where the clerk announces a fine of ninety-six paṇas for non-reporting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, narrative split: recovery scene at a doorway, then royal court with king and scribe, coins arranged to signify 96 paṇas, strong outlines and flat color fields","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted court, offender presenting recovered goods late, treasurer weighing coins, king’s authoritative gesture, ornate jewelry and gilded frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, instructional composition with emphasis on the act of reporting, a messenger approaching the palace, then fine assessment, delicate shading and clean lines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, interior house recovery scene with detailed textiles, followed by durbar where fine is recorded, meticulous coin depiction"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: परहस्तादवाप्नुयात् = परहस्तात् + अवाप्नुयात्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 256 (rules on theft, recovery, fines)
FAQs
It imparts legal procedure (vyavahāra-vidyā): recovered stolen/lost property must be formally reported to the king; failure triggers a specified monetary fine.
It shows the text’s coverage of practical statecraft and jurisprudence—detailing fines in paṇas and administrative duty—alongside its religious and ritual topics.
It frames honesty and transparency with rightful authority as dharma; concealing recovered goods is treated as adharma that incurs punishment and negative karmic consequence.