Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 17
Determination of Boundary Disputes and Related Matters (सीमाविवादादिनिर्णयः)
ग्रामेच्छया गोप्रचारो भूमिराजवशेन वा द्विजस्तृणैधःपुष्पाणि सर्वतः स्ववदाहरेत्
grāmecchayā gopracāro bhūmirājavaśena vā dvijastṛṇaidhaḥpuṣpāṇi sarvataḥ svavadāharet
ग्रामाच्या इच्छेने किंवा भूमीवर राजाच्या अधिकाराने गोचर असल्यास, द्विजाने गवत, इंधन-लाकूड व फुले सर्वत्रून स्वतःच्या प्रमाणे आणावीत।
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Guides village/royal land-use norms: defines permissible collection of minor forest/field produce (grass, fuel-wood, flowers) by a dvija under community consent or royal authority.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rights of Collection on Village/Royal Land (Tṛṇa–Edhaḥ–Puṣpa)","lookup_keywords":["dvija rights","tṛṇa","edhaḥ fuelwood","puṣpa flowers","land regulation"],"quick_summary":"With village consent or under the king’s land authority, a twice-born may gather grass, fuel-wood, and flowers from all around as if his own. It codifies customary access to minor resources while acknowledging governance oversight."}
Concept: Dharma balances individual subsistence needs with communal consent and sovereign authority over land.
Application: Use for resolving disputes over gathering firewood/grass/flowers: verify consent/authority and treat these as permitted minor collections rather than theft.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Smriti-niti (Rules for Brahmin conduct, village and royal land regulations)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dvija calmly collecting grass, fallen fuel-wood, and flowers at the edge of village fields; villagers and a royal boundary marker indicate consent/authority.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style; pastoral village boundary with stylized trees and fields; a dvija in white garments gathering flowers and twigs; villagers gesturing assent; a small royal emblem on a boundary post.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold accents; dvija holding a flower garland and bundle of fuel-wood; village scene with temple in background; ornate borders and luminous highlights.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate lines; instructional land-use scene showing permitted items (grass, wood, flowers) arranged clearly; village elders and a royal officer indicating lawful access.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; detailed rural landscape with fields, hedges, and villagers; dvija collecting fallen wood and flowers; subtle depiction of a royal land marker; naturalistic flora."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ग्रामेच्छया = ग्राम-इच्छया; द्विजस्तृणैधःपुष्पाणि = द्विजः + तृण-एधः-पुष्पाणि
Related Themes: Agni Purana 256 (land, village norms, vyavahara rules)
FAQs
It gives a practical rule of permissible resource collection: a dvija may gather low-value ritual/household items (grass, firewood, flowers) when sanctioned either by village custom/consent or by royal authority over land.
Beyond theology, it records governance and customary law—how communal permission (grāma-icchā) and royal jurisdiction (rāja-vaśa) regulate everyday access to natural resources.
It frames resource-taking within dharma (authorized permission), helping avoid the demerit of theft while enabling legitimate materials for domestic life and worship (especially flowers and fuel for offerings).