Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 15
Chapter 253 — व्यवहारकथनम्
The Account of Legal Procedure
बहवः स्युर्यदि स्वांशैर् दद्युः प्रतिभुवो धनम् एकच्छायाश्रितेष्वेषु धनिकस्य यथा रुचि
bahavaḥ syuryadi svāṃśair dadyuḥ pratibhuvo dhanam ekacchāyāśriteṣveṣu dhanikasya yathā ruci
ଯଦି ପ୍ରତିଭୂ ଅନେକ ଥାନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ସେମାନେ ନିଜ ନିଜ ଅଂଶ ଅନୁସାରେ ଧନ ଦିଅନ୍ତି, ତେବେ ଏକ ଛାୟା-ଆଶ୍ରୟରେ ଥିବା (ଏକ ଦଳ ଭାବେ ଗଣ୍ୟ) ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ଧନିକ (ଋଣଦାତା) ନିଜ ରୁଚି ଅନୁସାରେ ପ୍ରବୃତ୍ତ ହେବ।
Lord Agni (instructing Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s rajadharma/vyavahāra material)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Guidance for multi-surety cases: apportion payment by shares; creditor may choose whom to proceed against among a jointly protected/collectively treated group.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Multiple sureties: proportional payment and creditor’s option","lookup_keywords":["bahu-pratibhū","share payment","eka-chāyā-āśrita","creditor choice","debt recovery"],"quick_summary":"When several sureties exist, they may discharge the debt in their respective shares. If they stand under one collective protection/undertaking, the creditor may proceed against them as he prefers within that group."}
Concept: Vyavahāra-niyama: balancing creditor’s right with structured apportionment among sureties; recognition of collective undertakings (eka-chāyā).
Application: Drafting surety agreements and adjudicating recovery: decide whether sureties are independent or jointly bound, then apply proportionality/creditor option accordingly.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Suretyship, Debt, and Civil Conduct)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A creditor stands before a judge with several sureties lined up; each surety offers a measured share of coins. A canopy or umbrella motif symbolizes 'one shade' (eka-chāyā) indicating collective shelter, while the creditor points to the surety he chooses to pursue.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, rhythmic row of sureties under a single parasol, judge with palm-leaf manuscript, creditor gesturing choice, coin heaps divided into equal portions, strong outlines and warm palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted parasol over grouped sureties, ornate court setting, stylized coin trays showing shares, creditor and judge in frontal poses, decorative borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear didactic composition: multiple sureties each with labeled share, one umbrella indicating collective bond, creditor selecting one, fine detailing and soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, meticulous faces and textiles, court clerk tallying shares, grouped sureties under a canopy, creditor indicating preference, architectural depth with jali screens"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्युर्+यदि → स्युर्यदि; स्वांशैः → स्व-अंशैः; एकच्छायाश्रितेष्वेषु → एकच्छायाश्रितेषु एषु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 253 (pratibhū-vyavahāra rules)
FAQs
This verse imparts vyavahāra-vidyā (civil-jurisprudential procedure): when multiple guarantors exist, repayment can be made proportionally (svāṁśaiḥ), and where guarantors are treated as one protected group (ekacchāyāśrita), the creditor may choose how to pursue collection.
It shows the Agni Purana functioning as a compendium beyond theology—preserving practical legal norms on debt, surety liability, and creditor discretion, aligning with dharmaśāstra-style civil governance topics embedded within a Purana.
By regulating fair repayment and liability among sureties, the verse supports dharmic economic conduct—reducing dispute (vivāda) and preventing unjust exaction—thereby upholding social order (dharma) and limiting harmful karma arising from exploitation or breach of trust.