Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 67
Chapter 226 — राजधर्माः
Rājadharma: Royal Duties and Daṇḍanīti
हीनः पुरुषकारेण तद् दद्याद्दाण्डिको धनं
hīnaḥ puruṣakāreṇa tad dadyāddāṇḍiko dhanaṃ
ਜੇ ਕੋਈ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਨਿੱਜੀ ਮਿਹਨਤ ਨਾਲ ਘਾਟਾ ਪੂਰਾ ਕਰਨ ਦੇ ਯੋਗ ਨਾ ਹੋਵੇ, ਤਾਂ ਦੰਡਨੀਯ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਉਹ ਰਕਮ ਧਨ ਰੂਪ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਦਾ ਕਰੇ; ਕੰਮ ਨਾਲ ਨਾ ਦੇ ਸਕੇ ਤਾਂ ਦ੍ਰਵ੍ਯ ਨਾਲ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਦਾਨ ਕਰੇ।
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s dharma/vyavahāra section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Guides enforcement of compensation/fines when the offender cannot make restitution through labor—substituting monetary payment to satisfy liability.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Substitution of Monetary Payment When Labor Restitution Is Impossible","lookup_keywords":["purushakara","hina","dandika","dhana","pratikara"],"quick_summary":"When a person lacks the capacity to discharge liability through personal effort, the punishable party must pay the due amount in money, ensuring restitution is still realized."}
Concept: Dharma in governance aims at effective restitution; penalties adapt to capacity while preserving accountability.
Application: Use ability-to-pay principles: if labor restitution is infeasible, levy monetary compensation/fine to meet the adjudicated amount.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma & Vyavahāra (Governance, Law, and Judicial Procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A judge assesses an offender’s inability to perform labor restitution; the clerk records a monetary fine, and coins are weighed and paid into the treasury as compensation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, court with judge and scribe, offender showing empty hands, treasurer weighing coins on a balance, stylized architecture and bold color blocks, calm authoritative mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, treasury payment scene with gold-highlighted coin piles and balance scale, judge seated under ornate arch, scribe with palm-leaf ledger, rich jewel tones and gold embossing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic administrative scene: assessment of capacity, ledger entry, coin weighing, restrained elegance, fine detailing of tools (balance, seal, inkpot).","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, revenue-office interior with clerks, scales, coin bags, offender paying fine, detailed textiles and shelves, naturalistic faces and perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"measured","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दद्याद्दाण्डिको = dadyāt dāṇḍikaḥ (final -t before voiced d-).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 226 (fines/compensation principles in vyavahara)
FAQs
It gives a rule of legal practice (vyavahāra): when restitution cannot be made through personal labor/effort, the offender must discharge liability through monetary payment (fine/compensation).
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical statecraft and jurisprudence—here, a concrete standard for converting liability into monetary payment within daṇḍanīti (penal policy).
By prescribing prompt and proportional repayment, the text frames justice as dharma: settling harm through rightful compensation reduces social disorder and mitigates the offender’s karmic burden through accountable conduct.