Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 28
Divya-pramāṇa-kathana
Explanation of Divine Proofs / Ordeals and Evidentiary Procedure
तुलाग्न्यापो विषं कोषो दिव्यानीह विशुद्धये महाभियोगेष्वेतानि शीर्षकस्थे ऽभियोक्तरि
tulāgnyāpo viṣaṃ koṣo divyānīha viśuddhaye mahābhiyogeṣvetāni śīrṣakasthe 'bhiyoktari
ਇੱਥੇ ਸ਼ੁੱਧਤਾ (ਨਿਰਦੋਸ਼ਤਾ) ਸਾਬਤ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਦਿਵ੍ਯ-ਪਰੀਖਿਆਵਾਂ ਹਨ—ਤੁਲਾ, ਅੱਗ, ਪਾਣੀ, ਜ਼ਹਿਰ ਅਤੇ ਕੋਸ਼-ਪਰੀਖਿਆ। ਇਹ ਵੱਡੇ ਇਲਜ਼ਾਮਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ, ਜਦੋਂ ਇਲਜ਼ਾਮ ਲਗਾਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਉੱਚ ਪਦ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੋਵੇ, ਵਰਤੀਆਂ ਜਾਂਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ।
Lord Agni (narrating dharma and legal procedure to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s framing dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Selection and application of divya (ordeals) to test innocence in high-stakes accusations, especially when the complainant is socially eminent.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Five Ordeals (Divya) for Purification in Grave Accusations","lookup_keywords":["divya","tula","agni-pariksha","jala-pariksha","visha","kosha ordeal"],"quick_summary":"For determining innocence, the text lists ordeals—balance, fire, water, poison, and koṣa—used particularly in major accusations involving a high-status accuser."}
Concept: Dharma seeks truth through socially recognized pramanas; divya is an extraordinary pramana invoked when ordinary evidence is insufficient.
Application: Use heightened evidentiary standards and exceptional procedures only for exceptional cases; recognize power dynamics (high-standing accuser) and the need for safeguards.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma & Vyavahāra (Dharmaśāstra / Legal Procedure and Ordeals—Divya)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A judicial setting displaying five ordeals: a balance scale, a fire-pit, a water tank/river edge, a small poison vessel, and a koṣa apparatus/container—officials overseeing as the accused is tested in a grave case.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: symbolic panel with five ordeal stations arranged around a central judge; stylized flames, rippling water, prominent balance; attendants holding ritual vessels; solemn faces, temple-like framing.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gilded depiction of the balance and fire altar; ornate vessels for water and poison; judge and priests with gold accents; symmetrical composition emphasizing the five divyas.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic layout—each ordeal labeled visually (scale, fire, water, poison cup, koṣa container); fine linework, calm palette, court officials demonstrating procedure.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: court scene with separate vignettes for each ordeal; meticulous objects (scales, brazier, tank, vial, chest); nobles indicating the ‘high-standing accuser’ presence."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tulāgnyāpo → tulā + agni + āpaḥ; mahābhiyogeṣvetāni → mahā-abhiyogeṣu + etāni; śīrṣakasthe 'bhiyoktari → śīrṣaka-sthe + abhiyoktari (’ = a-sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 254 (Divya/ordeals within vyavahara)
FAQs
It lists the recognized legal “divya” (ordeals)—weighing, fire, water, poison, and the koṣa-ordeal—used as ritual-judicial tests to clear a person in serious accusations.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical governance material (rājadharma), including courtroom procedure and evidentiary methods like ordeals, reflecting its wide-ranging, compendious scope.
The ordeals are framed as “viśuddhi” (purification): passing them ritually restores moral and social purity, aiming to align judgment with dharma and reduce the karmic burden of false accusation or wrongful punishment.