Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 13
Determination of Boundary Disputes and Related Matters (सीमाविवादादिनिर्णयः)
पथि ग्रामविवीतान्ते क्षेत्रे दोषो न विद्यते अकामतः कामचारे चौरवद्दण्डमर्हति
pathi grāmavivītānte kṣetre doṣo na vidyate akāmataḥ kāmacāre cauravaddaṇḍamarhati
ການເດີນຕາມທາງ, ຢູ່ຂອບບ້ານ, ຫຼືຂ້າມທົ່ງນາ ບໍ່ເປັນຄວາມຜິດ. ແຕ່ຜູ້ໃດບໍ່ມີຄວາມຈຳເປັນ ແລ້ວເດີນເລີ່ນຕາມໃຈໃນຊັບຂອງຄົນອື່ນ ຄວນຮັບໂທດເຫມືອນຂະໂມຍ.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Defining lawful passage (paths, village edges, crossing fields) versus suspicious trespass; guiding policing and adjudication of encroachment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"No offence in necessary passage; needless roaming punished as theft","lookup_keywords":["pathi doṣaḥ na","grāma-vivīta-anta","kṣetre doṣaḥ","akāmataḥ kāmacāra","cauravat daṇḍa"],"quick_summary":"Movement along recognized routes and boundaries is permitted and not criminalized. Aimless wandering within another’s property without necessity is treated as thief-like conduct and punishable."}
Concept: Dharma distinguishes necessity (niyama/ācāra) from caprice (kāmacāra); intent and context determine offence.
Application: Village officers and courts evaluate trespass by necessity and customary right-of-way; prevent harassment of travelers while deterring stealthy scouting for theft.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma & Vyavahāra (Law, governance, and punishments)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A village landscape with a marked path and boundary hedges; travelers walk lawfully along the edge, while a suspicious man wanders inside a field and is apprehended by guards as a potential thief.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized village with boundary fence, a clear path with travelers, guards confronting a man inside the field, strong contour lines and rhythmic foliage patterns","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted boundary markers and royal insignia on guards, central path with lawful walkers, side scene of apprehension in a field, ornate frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic composition showing permitted zones (path, boundary) and prohibited wandering, labels on scroll-like cartouches, gentle palette and fine detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, panoramic village edge, detailed crops and footpath, guards seizing a trespasser, expressive gestures, naturalistic trees and architecture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चौरवद्दण्डमर्हति = चौरवत् + दण्डम् + अर्हति.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 256 (trespass, cattle damage, and fines); Agni Purana Rajadharma passages on policing and theft
FAQs
It imparts vyavahāra-vidyā (practical legal rules): lawful passage is allowed on public paths and boundaries, but purposeless entry/roaming in others’ fields is treated as a punishable offence akin to theft.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves danda-nīti and civil law norms—defining permissible movement, property boundaries, and proportional punishment—showing its coverage of governance and jurisprudence.
It frames respect for others’ property and social order as dharma: acting with rightful purpose avoids doṣa, while willful intrusion aligns one’s karma with adharma and invites punitive consequences.