Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 45
Chapter 226 — राजधर्माः
Rājadharma: Royal Duties and Daṇḍanīti
वेतनन्द्विगुणं दद्याद्दण्दञ्च द्विगुणं तथा भार्या पुत्राश् च दासाश् च शिष्यो भ्राता च सोदरः
vetanandviguṇaṃ dadyāddaṇdañca dviguṇaṃ tathā bhāryā putrāś ca dāsāś ca śiṣyo bhrātā ca sodaraḥ
Dia hendaklah membayar upah dua kali ganda, dan demikian juga denda dua kali ganda. (Peraturan ini, menurut kesesuaian) meliputi isteri, anak-anak lelaki, hamba/khadam, murid, serta saudara lelaki seibu.
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s common dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Legal remedy framework: restitution (double wages) plus punitive fine (double), and extension of liability/coverage to dependents/household and close relations in relevant contexts (agency, responsibility, or entitlement).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Dviguna-vetana and dviguna-daṇḍa rule; scope of persons","lookup_keywords":["dviguṇa","vetana","daṇḍa","vyavahāra","gṛhastha"],"quick_summary":"The verse states a double-compensation and double-fine principle. It also enumerates persons (wife, sons, servants, student, brother) indicating the rule’s applicability in household/agency relationships depending on the case."}
Concept: Justice combines restitution and deterrence; social units (household/lineage) are treated as loci of responsibility/entitlement in applied law.
Application: When adjudicating breach or harm, compute both compensation and penalty; clarify who is bound/covered (principal, dependents, agents) to prevent evasion and ensure enforceability.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma & Vyavahāra (Dharmaśāstra / Legal Procedure and Penalties)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A legal accounting scene: an official calculates doubled wages and doubled fine on a palm-leaf ledger; parties stand before the judge; household members/agents are shown to indicate scope (wife, sons, servant, student, brother).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stylized scribe with palm-leaf, judge gesturing ‘double’, grouped household figures behind the litigant, warm earthy tones, didactic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central judge with gold-ornamented throne, ledger and coin stacks highlighted with gold leaf, orderly grouping of family/retainers, emphasis on lawful prosperity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional tableau with clear depiction of ledger, weights/coins, and a ‘2x’ gesture motif, fine lines and soft colors, courtroom interior.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: revenue-office aesthetic—clerks, ledgers, coin trays; litigants with family/servants; precise architectural framing and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vetanandviguṇaṃ = vetanam dviguṇam; dadyāddaṇdañca = dadyāt daṇḍam ca; putrāś ca = putrāḥ ca; dāsāś ca = dāsāḥ ca.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 226.44 (fee-taking and punishability) as immediate context for wage/fine doubling; Agni Purana 226.46 (limits on corporal punishment) as complementary penal procedure
FAQs
It imparts vyavahāra-vidyā (legal/governance procedure): the principle of paying double wages and imposing a doubled fine, with reference to liability/coverage involving close household and dependent relationships.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves dharmaśāstra-like governance material—rules on remuneration, penalties, and social/legal responsibility—showing its wide scope across practical statecraft and civil law.
By mandating fair compensation and heightened penalties for wrongdoing, it reinforces dharma (righteous order); adherence reduces pratyavāya (fault from neglect of duty) and supports social harmony, which is treated as a merit-bearing expression of righteous conduct.