Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 21
Divya-pramāṇa-kathana
Explanation of Divine Proofs / Ordeals and Evidentiary Procedure
उभयाभ्यर्थितेनैतन्मया ह्य् अमुकसूनुना लिखितं ह्य् अमुकेनेति लेखको ऽथान्ततो लिखेत्
ubhayābhyarthitenaitanmayā hy amukasūnunā likhitaṃ hy amukeneti lekhako 'thāntato likhet
ତାପରେ ଶେଷରେ ଲେଖକ ଲେଖିବ—“ଉଭୟ ପକ୍ଷର ଅନୁରୋଧରେ ମୁଁ, ଅମୁକଙ୍କ ପୁତ୍ର ଅମୁକ, ଏହା ଲେଖିଲି; ଅମୁକ ପାଇଁ” ବୋଲି।
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purana’s dharma/legal sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Establishing scribe accountability and neutrality by requiring an explicit colophon stating authorship, patronymic, and that writing was done at both parties’ request.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Lekhaka-colophon (Scribe’s concluding attestation)","lookup_keywords":["lekhaka","colophon","ubhayabhyarthita","amuka-sunu","document-end"],"quick_summary":"At the end of the document, the scribe must add a signed statement identifying himself (with patronymic) and affirming he wrote it at the request of both parties, strengthening authenticity and reducing tampering claims."}
Concept: Lekhana as dharmic public trust: the writer’s accountability and impartiality are part of valid pramāṇa.
Application: Always include a scribe’s end-note with identity and statement of joint request; treat it like a modern notarial/attestation block.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Lekhana-vidhi (Documentary & Legal Formulae)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At the document’s end, the scribe writes a concluding attestation naming himself as son of so-and-so and stating he wrote it at both parties’ request; parties and witnesses look on as the final line is added.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, scribe adding the final colophon line, document held steady, parties on either side to show ‘both requested’, witnesses behind, stylized ornaments and warm palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted final line of the document, scribe with halo-like emphasis on duty, parties symmetrically placed, ornate court setting","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear depiction of the ‘scribe’s colophon’ block at the bottom of the document, with the scribe pointing to it as a formal closure, refined colors and neat composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, close-up of the bottom of the page where the scribe writes his identification, detailed pen case and inkpot, attentive witnesses, architectural frame"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"formal","suggested_raga":"Khamas","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ubhayābhyarthitenaitanmayā = ubhayābhyarthitena etat mayā; hy amuka- = hi amuka-; amukeneti = amukena iti; lekhako 'tha = lekhakaḥ atha (विसर्ग-लोप); 'thāntato = atha antataḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 254 (lekhana-vidhi and authentication chain)
FAQs
It gives the technical rule for a deed’s closing colophon: the scribe must record that the document was written by him (with identifying lineage) at the request of both parties, and indicate the concerned person/beneficiary—serving as an authentication formula.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical civil-administrative knowledge—how to draft and authenticate documents—showing its coverage of governance, legal procedure, and record-keeping alongside ritual and spiritual topics.
By prescribing truthful attribution and clear consent of both parties, it supports dharma through preventing fraud and dispute; accurate documentation is treated as a dharmic act that upholds social order and ethical conduct.