Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 22
Chapter 253 — व्यवहारकथनम्
The Account of Legal Procedure
उपस्थितस्य मोक्तव्य आधिर्दण्डो ऽन्यथा भवेत् प्रयोजके सति धनं कुलेन्यस्याधिमाप्नुयात्
upasthitasya moktavya ādhirdaṇḍo 'nyathā bhavet prayojake sati dhanaṃ kulenyasyādhimāpnuyāt
ଗିରବଦାତା (ଦେୟ ରାଶି ସହ) ଉପସ୍ଥିତ ହେଲେ ଗିରବ ମୁକ୍ତ କରିବା ଉଚିତ; ନହେଲେ ଦଣ୍ଡ ହେବ। ଗିରବଦାତା ଅନୁପଲବ୍ଧ ଥିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଯଦି ଅଧିକୃତ ପ୍ରତିନିଧି ଉପସ୍ଥିତ, ସେ ଏହି କୁଳର ପକ୍ଷରୁ ଗିରବ ଛୁଟାଇ ଧନ/ବସ୍ତୁ ପ୍ରାପ୍ତ କରିପାରିବ।
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purana’s dharma/nyaya discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Operational rule for pledge redemption: mandatory release upon tender; penalty for refusal; recognition of authorized agents to redeem on behalf of a family.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Redemption of Pledge: Mandatory Release, Penalty for Refusal, and Agency (Prayojaka)","lookup_keywords":["pledge release","redemption tender","danda penalty","pratinidhi agent","kula redemption"],"quick_summary":"When the pledgor tenders the due amount, the pledge must be released or a penalty applies; if the pledgor is absent, an authorized agent may redeem and recover the pledged property for the family."}
Concept: Dharma of non-obstruction: rightful tender must restore property; delegated authority is valid for family continuity.
Application: In civil procedure, accept tender and release collateral; validate agency/authorization to prevent wrongful retention.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Dharma-shastra / Legal Procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pledgor arrives with coins and receipt; the creditor returns the pledged item. In a second scene, an agent bearing a family seal redeems the pledge while the pledgor is absent; a judge warns of penalty for refusal.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: agent with palm-leaf authorization and family emblem; creditor handing back pledge; judge with danda-symbol indicating penalty for non-release; flat iconic figures, temple-court ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-highlighted family seal and decree; creditor returning pledge bundle; coins rendered with gold; judge’s staff indicating danda; ornate pillars framing the court","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: procedural clarity—close-up of authorization document (prayojaka), tender of coins, release of pledge; calm palette and precise linework for instructional feel","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: bustling court with clerk verifying seal; agent in fine attire; creditor reluctantly releasing pledge; marginal notes-like calligraphy indicating 'danda'"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आधिर्दण्डो = आधिः + दण्डः; दण्डोऽन्यथा = दण्डः + अन्यथा; कुलेन्यस्याधिमाप्नुयात् = कुले + अन्यस्य + आधिम् + आप्नुयात्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 253.19-21 (pledge duties and penalties context)
FAQs
It imparts vyavahāra-vidyā (practical legal procedure): a pledge (ādhi) must be released when the debtor appears to redeem it; refusal triggers a fine, and an authorized agent may redeem on the debtor’s behalf.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana codifies governance and civil law—here, rules for secured transactions (pledges/mortgages), agency, and penalties—showing its coverage of administrative and juridical knowledge.
It frames economic conduct as dharma: honoring rightful redemption and avoiding wrongful retention prevents adharma and its karmic consequence, while fair dealings uphold social order (ṛta/dharma).