Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 10
Divya-pramāṇa-kathana
Explanation of Divine Proofs / Ordeals and Evidentiary Procedure
तत्सर्वं तस्य जानीहि यं पराजयसे मृषा द्वैधे बहूनां वचनं समेषु गुणिनान्तथा
tatsarvaṃ tasya jānīhi yaṃ parājayase mṛṣā dvaidhe bahūnāṃ vacanaṃ sameṣu guṇināntathā
ຈົ່ງຮູ້ວ່າ ທັງໝົດນັ້ນເປັນຂອງຜູ້ທີ່ເຈົ້າເອົາຊະນະດ້ວຍຄໍາມຸສາ. ເມື່ອມີຄວາມສົງໄສ ຈົ່ງຮັບຄໍາຂອງຄົນຫຼາຍ; ແລະໃນບັນດາຜູ້ເທົ່າທຽມ ຈົ່ງຮັບຄໍາຂອງຜູ້ມີຄຸນທໍາ.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Decision rule in adjudication: if someone wins by falsehood, the moral ownership of the gain transfers to the wronged party; in doubt, rely on majority testimony and, among equals, on the virtuous.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Adjudication in doubt: majority and the virtuous; moral transfer of wrongful gain","lookup_keywords":["द्वैध-निर्णय","बहूनां वचन","गुणिनां वचन","मृषा-पराजय","न्याय-नीति"],"quick_summary":"In doubtful cases, accept the statement of the many, and among equals prefer the virtuous; any victory obtained by falsehood is ethically forfeited to the defeated."}
Concept: Dharma-based epistemology in law: when certainty fails, social corroboration (many) and moral credibility (virtue) guide judgment; adharma-gain is not truly owned.
Application: Use corroboration standards (multiple independent witnesses) and credibility weighting (character, consistency) in dispute resolution.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Niti-shastra: counsel on conduct, testimony, and decision-making)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A judge weighing conflicting statements: a group of many witnesses on one side, a smaller group of respected virtuous elders on the other; a false victor’s prize symbolically shifts to the wronged party.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, balanced composition with two witness groups, judge-king centered, symbolic scales, the ‘prize’ (document/coin bag) moving toward the truthful party, earthy tones","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold scales of justice, judge enthroned, many witnesses clustered, virtuous elders with sacred marks, transfer of property deed highlighted with gold","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional tableau showing decision rule: majority cluster, ‘guna’ elders, judge pointing to accepted side, neat lines and calm palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court scene with two assemblies, subtle gesture language, property deed being handed, intricate carpet patterns and architectural arches"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tat sarvam→tatsarvam; guṇinām tathā→guṇināntathā (m+t sandhi with anusvāra).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma rules on nirnaya (decision), sandeha (doubt), and guna (credibility)
FAQs
It imparts Nīti/rajadharma guidance for adjudication: if someone wins by falsehood, the moral claim remains with the wronged party; in doubtful cases rely on majority testimony, and among equals prefer the word of the virtuous/qualified.
Beyond ritual and theology, it preserves practical governance and judicial ethics—how to weigh testimony, handle doubt, and uphold truth—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of statecraft and social order alongside spiritual topics.
It underscores that victory gained through lying is karmically hollow: falsehood transfers moral fault to the deceiver while affirming the right of the truthful, encouraging dharmic speech and just decision-making.