Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 23
Divya-pramāṇa-kathana
Explanation of Divine Proofs / Ordeals and Evidentiary Procedure
ऋणं लेख्यकृतं देयं पुरुषैस्त्रिभिरेव तु आधिस्तु भुज्यते तावद्यावत्तन्न प्रदीयते
ṛṇaṃ lekhyakṛtaṃ deyaṃ puruṣaistribhireva tu ādhistu bhujyate tāvadyāvattanna pradīyate
लेखी साधनाने केलेले ऋण तीन पुरुषांच्या (तीन व्यक्तींच्या साक्ष/पुष्टीने) देय ठरते; आणि गहाण (आधि) ते ऋण फेडेपर्यंतच भोगता येते.
Lord Agni (in instruction on dharma and legal procedure to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Guiding enforcement of written debts and regulating enjoyment of pledged property (ādhi) until repayment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ṛṇa-lekhya Repayment and Ādhi (Pledge) Enjoyment Rule","lookup_keywords":["rina lekhya","trayaḥ puruṣāḥ","ādhi pledge","bhujyate","debt repayment"],"quick_summary":"Written debt is enforceable with confirmation by three persons, while pledged property may be used by the creditor only until the debt is repaid. This balances creditor security with debtor’s right of redemption."}
Concept: Fairness in economic dealings: enforceability with due confirmation; temporary enjoyment of security without extinguishing redemption.
Application: Draft pledge terms clearly; ensure third-party confirmation; return pledged enjoyment upon repayment.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Dharma-shastra: debt, contracts, and pledges)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A creditor and debtor before a registrar; three confirming persons stand nearby; a pledged field/house is shown being used by the creditor until repayment is made.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, village-court scene with three witnesses, palm-leaf debt instrument, depiction of pledged land with boundary trees, warm ochres and greens, stylized figures and jewelry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, ceremonial signing of a debt deed, gold embellishment on garments, three witnesses in symmetrical composition, inset vignette of pledged property being enjoyed until repayment.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic layout: main panel shows execution of lekhya with three confirmers; side panel shows ādhi property use and then return upon repayment; fine lines and soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, merchant setting with account books and deed, three respectable witnesses, background showing a house/field under pledge, intricate textiles and architectural details."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुरुषैस्त्रिभिरेव → पुरुषैः + त्रिभिः + एव; आधिस्तु → आधिः + तु; तावद्यावत् → तावत् + यावत्; तन्न → तत् + न.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 254 (ṛṇa, lekhya, ādhi, pramāṇa rules)
FAQs
It imparts vyavahāra-vidyā (practical legal knowledge): repayment of a written debt is established through formal proof (here, three persons), and the creditor’s right to enjoy pledged property (ādhi) lasts only until repayment.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves dharma-shastra style civil rules—contracts, evidentiary standards, and mortgage/pledge practice—showing it functions as a compendium of governance and legal administration.
By prescribing fair repayment and limiting enjoyment of pledged property to the period of non-repayment, it promotes dharmic economic conduct—reducing exploitation and supporting righteous livelihood (dharma) in social dealings.