Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 5
Chapter 253 — व्यवहारकथनम्
The Account of Legal Procedure
ऋक्थग्राह ऋणं दाप्यो योषिद्ग्राहस्तथैव च पुत्रो ऽनन्याश्रितद्रव्यः पुत्रहीनस्य ऋक्थिनः
ṛkthagrāha ṛṇaṃ dāpyo yoṣidgrāhastathaiva ca putro 'nanyāśritadravyaḥ putrahīnasya ṛkthinaḥ
ଯେ ଉତ୍ତରାଧିକାର (ଋକ୍ଥ) ଗ୍ରହଣ କରେ ସେ ଋଣ ଦେବାକୁ ବାଧ୍ୟ; ଏହିପରି ଯେ ସ୍ତ୍ରୀକୁ ଗ୍ରହଣ କରେ ସେମଧ୍ୟ। କିନ୍ତୁ ପୁତ୍ରହୀନ ଉତ୍ତରାଧିକାରୀର ପୁତ୍ର—ଯଦି ତାହାର ଧନ ଅନ୍ୟାଶ୍ରିତ ନୁହେଁ—ସେଇ ଯଥାର୍ଥ ଉତ୍ତରାଧିକାରୀ।
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Rules for inheritance and liability: the heir (and certain successors/guardians) assume responsibility for the deceased’s debts; clarifies who qualifies as heir when a man dies sonless.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Heir’s Liability for Debt and Succession in Sonless Estate","lookup_keywords":["rktha-graha","rina","daya-bhaga","strigraha","aputra"],"quick_summary":"Whoever takes the estate must discharge the associated debts; succession in a sonless case is restricted, with emphasis on an eligible son/claimant not dependent on others’ property."}
Concept: Enjoyment of property is inseparable from responsibility: succession entails assuming the deceased’s financial obligations; rightful heirship is bounded by eligibility and independence of claim.
Application: In adjudication: attach debts to the estate and its taker; in family settlements: ensure heirs accept both assets and liabilities; prevent opportunistic taking of property without debt repayment.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Daya-bhaga / Inheritance and Debt Law)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: artha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A court scene: an heir receives a deed and simultaneously is handed a debt ledger; a widow’s guardian/successor stands nearby, with the judge indicating that debts follow the estate.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, royal court with dharmic judge, heir receiving palm-leaf title document and debt ledger, restrained gestures, traditional lamps and pillars","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-highlighted court canopy, heir holding property deed, scribe with debt register, symbolic conch-like seal of inheritance, rich textiles","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional composition: arrows from 'rktha' (estate) to 'rina' (debt) showing linkage, judge pointing to rule, minimal background clutter","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, finely detailed qazi-like tribunal, accountants, seals, inheritance deed, debt bond, nuanced faces showing acceptance of duty"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yoṣidgrāhastathaiva → yoṣit-grāhaḥ tathā eva; putro 'nanyāśritadravyaḥ → putraḥ ananya-āśrita-dravyaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma/Vyavahara: sections on daya-bhaga, rina-vyavahara, and stridhana (same khanda)
FAQs
It teaches a rule of civil liability: the person who takes an estate (or assumes the widow’s status/guardianship) is responsible for the deceased’s outstanding debts, and it clarifies succession for an heirless man.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical dharmaśāstra-like jurisprudence—inheritance, debt, and succession—showing it functions as a compendium of governance and social law.
By linking inheritance with debt-payment, it frames wealth as a dharmic trust: enjoying property without discharging obligations is adharma, while settling debts upholds social order and merit.