Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 36
Divya-pramāṇa-kathana
Explanation of Divine Proofs / Ordeals and Evidentiary Procedure
त्वं तुले सत्यधामासि पुरा देवैर् विनिर्मिता सत्यं वदस्व कल्याणि संशयान्मां विमोचय
tvaṃ tule satyadhāmāsi purā devair vinirmitā satyaṃ vadasva kalyāṇi saṃśayānmāṃ vimocaya
ਹੇ ਤਰਾਜੂ! ਤੂੰ ਸੱਚ ਦਾ ਧਾਮ ਹੈਂ, ਪੁਰਾਤਨ ਕਾਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਦੇਵਤਿਆਂ ਨੇ ਬਣਾਇਆ ਸੀ। ਹੇ ਕਲਿਆਣੀ! ਸੱਚ ਬੋਲ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸੰਦੇਹਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਮੁਕਤ ਕਰ।
Ritual petitioner / litigant invoking the Tula (balance) in a satya-pariksha (ordeal/oath context)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"A formal oath/invocation addressed to the balance before the tulā-ordeal, framing the instrument as divine and truth-bearing to compel truthful outcome and calm doubt in adjudication.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Tulā-satyādhāma invocation (oath to the balance)","lookup_keywords":["tulā-mantra","satyadhāma","divya","śaṅkā-nivṛtti","vyavahāra-śapatha"],"quick_summary":"The litigant invokes the balance as a god-made abode of truth, requesting revelation of truth and removal of doubt—serving as the spoken sanctification of the weighing ordeal."}
Alamkara Type: Sambodhana (direct address)
Concept: Satya is approached through sanctified speech: invoking truth as a living principle transforms a material instrument into a moral witness.
Application: Using solemn oaths to reinforce integrity in testimony and to psychologically bind the speaker to truthfulness.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Nyaya (Oaths, Truth-testing, Legal-Ritual Procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The accused stands before a large balance, palms joined, addressing the scale as a divine presence; the balance subtly anthropomorphized with a gentle feminine aura, while Brahmins and officials witness the oath.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central ornate balance with a faint goddess-like visage suggested in the beam, accused in añjali-mudrā, Brahmins chanting, warm lamp-lit court, emphasis on sacred speech and truth","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold halo around the balance as ‘Satyadhāma’, accused praying, rich gold work on the scale and ornaments, serene devotional mood within a court setting","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean composition showing the oath moment, expressive but restrained faces, the balance rendered prominently, subtle aura around it, scribes and Brahmins as witnesses","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate courtroom scene with the accused addressing the scale, fine calligraphic cartouche feel, detailed textiles and architecture, the balance highlighted with luminous paint to suggest divinity"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सत्यधामासि = सत्यधामा + असि; देवैर् = देवैः (रेफ-सन्धि); संशयान्मां = संशयात् + माम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 254.34 (tulā procedure); Agni Purana 254.35 (witness doctrine supporting oath)
FAQs
It gives the mantra-like invocation used in a satya-pariksha where the balance/scale is addressed as a divine witness to compel truthful disclosure and remove suspicion.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied Rajadharma—judicial-ritual techniques (oaths/ordeals) for dispute resolution—showing the text’s coverage of governance and legal procedure.
Invoking the balance as the ‘abode of truth’ frames truthfulness as a sacred act: speaking truth purifies intent and is presented as a dharmic means to dispel doubt and wrongdoing.