Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 45
Determination of Boundary Disputes and Related Matters (सीमाविवादादिनिर्णयः)
देशं कालञ्च यो ऽतीयात् कर्म कुर्याच्च यो ऽन्यथा तत्र तु स्वामिनश्छन्दो ऽधिकं देयं कृते ऽधिके
deśaṃ kālañca yo 'tīyāt karma kuryācca yo 'nyathā tatra tu svāminaśchando 'dhikaṃ deyaṃ kṛte 'dhike
ଯେ କେହି ଯଥୋଚିତ ଦେଶ-କାଳକୁ ଅତିକ୍ରମ କରେ କିମ୍ବା ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟ ବିଧିବିରୁଦ୍ଧରେ କାମ କରେ, ସେଠାରେ ସ୍ୱାମୀଙ୍କ ଇଚ୍ଛାକୁ ଅଧିକ ମାନ୍ୟତା ଦେବା ଉଚିତ। କାମ ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟରୁ ଅଧିକ ହେଲେ ଅତିରିକ୍ତ ପ୍ରତିଫଳ ଦେବା ଉଚିତ।
Lord Agni (traditional narrator of Agni Purana) instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Contract-performance adjudication: if place/time/manner are violated, the owner/employer’s stipulated preference prevails; if work exceeds assignment, pay additional remuneration—balancing authority with fair compensation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Deśa–kāla–vidhi-bhaṅga & adhika-vetanam (Deviation, discretion, and extra pay)","lookup_keywords":["deśa","kāla","anyathā-karman","svāmi-chanda","adhika-deya"],"quick_summary":"When prescribed conditions of place, time, or method are breached, the master’s directive gains priority in deciding the matter. When work is done beyond what was assigned, extra payment should be granted."}
Concept: Dharma in vyavahāra is conditional and contextual (deśa-kāla); equity requires paying for surplus performance while preserving contractual authority.
Application: Modernizable rule: define scope/conditions of work; treat deviations as governed by the principal’s specification; compensate overtime/extra deliverables.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Dharmaśāstra / Legal Procedure and Governance)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A worksite dispute: a craftsman/servant has worked at the wrong time/place; the master points to agreed terms on a palm-leaf contract; in another moment, the worker presents extra completed work and receives additional coins.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two-scene narrative: contract reading with palm-leaf and gestures indicating deśa-kāla, then fair extra payment for additional work, strong outlines, earthy palette, didactic clarity","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, master holding contract scroll with gold highlights, worker showing extra completed task, coin-giving emphasized with embossed gold, rich ornamental borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional split-frame: left ‘vidhi-bhaṅga’ (wrong place/time) with master’s preference indicated; right ‘adhika-kṛta’ with extra remuneration, fine linework and labels","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed workshop setting (tools, materials), contract consultation with scribe, then payment scene, realistic expressions, intricate border"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamas","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यो ऽतीयात् = यः अतीयात्; कुर्याच्च = कुर्यात् च; यो ऽन्यथा = यः अन्यथा; स्वामिनश्छन्दो = स्वामिनः छन्दः; छन्दो ऽधिकं = छन्दः अधिकम्; कृते ऽधिके = कृते अधिके.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Vyavahāra rules on contracts, wages, and dispute resolution; Agni Purana Rajadharma on judicial weighing of claims
FAQs
It imparts practical dharma-vidhi for action: work should follow proper deśa (place) and kāla (time) and prescribed method; where deviation occurs, the svāmin’s consent governs, and extra work merits extra compensation.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana functions as a compendium of applied knowledge; this verse reflects its dharmaśāstra/rajadharma layer by giving normative rules for duty, authorization, and fair recompense—topics aligned with governance and legal procedure.
Right action depends on context (place/time) and proper authorization; honoring rightful consent and fairness in payment reduces adharmic fault and supports righteous livelihood (dharma) and cleaner karma in social obligations.