Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 37
Determination of Boundary Disputes and Related Matters (सीमाविवादादिनिर्णयः)
निजधर्माविरोधेन यस्तु सामयिको भवेत् सो ऽपि यत्नेन संरक्ष्यो धर्मो राजकृतश् च यः
nijadharmāvirodhena yastu sāmayiko bhavet so 'pi yatnena saṃrakṣyo dharmo rājakṛtaś ca yaḥ
Apa jua adat atau peraturan yang dipersetujui (sāmayika) yang timbul tanpa bercanggah dengan dharma sendiri hendaklah juga dipelihara dengan bersungguh-sungguh; demikian pula dharma yang ditetapkan oleh raja.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Legal pluralism: recognize and protect local conventions/agreements (customary law) when consistent with dharma; also uphold king-made regulations as enforceable norms.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Sāmayika (convention) and Rāja-kṛta Dharma (king-instituted law) under Svadharma","lookup_keywords":["samayika","customary law","raja-krta dharma","svadharma-avirodha","niti"],"quick_summary":"Customs and agreed rules are valid when they do not contradict dharma, and must be protected. Royally instituted dharma (positive law) is likewise to be safeguarded and maintained."}
Concept: Hierarchy of norms: dharma as the non-contradiction test for custom; royal law gains legitimacy when aligned with dharma.
Application: When drafting or enforcing regulations, test them against core ethical duties; preserve beneficial local customs to maintain social cohesion.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Dharma-shastra / Governance and Royal Law)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A judicial assembly where elders present customary rules while the king’s scribe records royal regulations; a symbolic balance shows ‘svadharma’ as the standard above both.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style courtroom: king, ministers, elders; palm-leaf records; a stylized balance motif above labeled dharma; warm lamp-lit interior, bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: king with gold-embellished throne; two panels—customary elders on one side, royal decree scroll on the other; gold leaf highlighting the balance of dharma.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: didactic composition with clear labels on scrolls ‘sāmayika’ and ‘rāja-kṛta’; king and jurists pointing to a central ‘svadharma’ standard; restrained palette, fine lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed diwān scene; qalamdan and papers; elders debating; king issuing farmān-like decree; architectural depth and patterned textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nijadharmāvirodhena = nijadharma-avirodhena; yastu = yaḥ tu; so 'pi = saḥ api; rājakṛtaś ca = rājakṛtaḥ ca.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma passages on danda, vyavahara, and sabha procedures (contextual)
FAQs
It teaches a governance principle: customs or community agreements (sāmayika/samaya) consistent with dharma should be upheld, and the king’s lawful ordinances should be preserved and enforced.
Beyond myth and ritual, the Agni Purana includes practical statecraft and jurisprudence—here integrating personal dharma, customary norms, and royal legislation into a coherent framework of governance.
Protecting dharma—whether rooted in rightful custom or just royal law—supports social order (dharma-saṃsthāpanā) and aligns the ruler and subjects with merit-bearing conduct rather than disorder (adharma).