Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 64
वाक्पारुष्यादिप्रकरणम्
The Topic of Verbal Abuse and Related Offences
दत्त्वा चौरस्य हन्तुर्वा जानतो दम उत्तमः शस्त्रावपाते गर्भस्य पातने चोत्तमो दमः
dattvā caurasya hanturvā jānato dama uttamaḥ śastrāvapāte garbhasya pātane cottamo damaḥ
जो जाणूनबुजून चोर किंवा खुनीला सहाय्य देतो, त्याच्यासाठी सर्वोच्च अर्थदंड विधान आहे। शस्त्रप्रहार व गर्भपात घडविणे यांनाही तोच सर्वोच्च दंड सांगितला आहे।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in rajadharma/vyavahāra topics, as typical for the Agni Purana)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हन्तुर्वा = हन्तुः + वा; शस्त्रावपाते = शस्त्र-अवपाते; चोत्तमो = च + उत्तमः
FAQs
It imparts danda-niti (penal jurisprudence): the rule that the maximum fine/penalty applies to knowingly aiding thieves or murderers, to weapon-based assault, and to causing miscarriage/abortion.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical statecraft and legal norms (rajadharma/vyavahara), cataloging offenses and graded punishments—showing its scope as a compendium of governance and social regulation.
By treating these acts as grave offenses warranting the highest penalty, the text frames them as heavy adharma with severe karmic consequence, emphasizing protection of life, social order, and moral responsibility for intentional complicity.