Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 14
Determination of Boundary Disputes and Related Matters (सीमाविवादादिनिर्णयः)
महोत्क्षोत्सृष्टपशवः सूतिकागन्तुका च गौः पालो येषान्तु मोच्या दैवराजपरिप्लुताः
mahotkṣotsṛṣṭapaśavaḥ sūtikāgantukā ca gauḥ pālo yeṣāntu mocyā daivarājapariplutāḥ
ਵੱਡੇ ਉਤਸਵ ਵੇਲੇ ਛੱਡੇ ਗਏ ਪਸ਼ੂ, ਨਵੀਂ ਬਿਆਈ (ਸੂਤਿਕਾ) ਗਾਂ, ਅਤੇ ਆਗੰਤੁਕ/ਭਟਕੀ ਗਾਂ—ਇਹ ਅਤੇ ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਰਖਵਾਲਾ ਦੰਡ ਤੋਂ ਮੁਕਤ ਕੀਤੇ ਜਾਣ। ਇਸੇ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੈਵੀ ਜਾਂ ਰਾਜਕੀ ਆਫ਼ਤ ਨਾਲ ਘਿਰੇ ਹੋਏ ਵੀ ਦੰਡ-ਮੁਕਤ ਹਨ।
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s didactic dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Specifying exemptions from seizure/penalty for certain cattle situations (festival release, newly-calved cow, stray/guest cow) and for persons affected by public calamity; guiding humane and administratively consistent enforcement.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Exemptions: festival-released animals, newly-calved cow, guest cow, calamity-stricken persons","lookup_keywords":["mahotsava utsṛṣṭa paśu","sūtikā gauḥ","āgantukā gauḥ","pāla mocya","daiva-rāja-paripluta"],"quick_summary":"Certain animals and their keepers are not to be detained or penalized—especially in festival contexts, postpartum conditions, or when the animal is a stray/guest. Those overwhelmed by public calamity (fate/royal disaster) are likewise exempted, reflecting compassion and administrative prudence."}
Concept: Dharma includes apavāda (exceptions) grounded in compassion, social custom (festival), and force majeure (calamity).
Application: Administrators codify exemptions to prevent unjust punishment during extraordinary circumstances and to protect vulnerable beings (postpartum cattle).
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Vyavahara (Dharma-shastra: legal rules on cattle, fines, and exemptions)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A festival day where animals are ceremonially released; a newly-calved cow with calf is protected by villagers; a stray cow is welcomed; officials waive penalties for keepers and for people affected by a flood-like calamity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple-festival ambience with flags and lamps, cattle being released, a sūtikā cow with calf sheltered, compassionate officials gesturing release, background showing flood waters as calamity motif","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-embellished festival pavilion, sacred cow and calf central, officials holding a decree of exemption, villagers offering fodder to a guest cow, shimmering gold highlights","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, narrative clarity: panels for festival release, postpartum cow care, guest cow reception, calamity relief; fine lines and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, lively festival procession, detailed cattle and attendants, an official sealing an exemption order, distant scene of inundation with people being aided, rich textiles and architecture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Madhyamavati","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: महोत्क्षोत्सृष्टपशवः = महोत्क्ष + उत्सृष्ट + पशवः (compound); येषान्तु = येषाम् + तु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 256 (paśu-doṣa exemptions and liabilities); Agni Purana Rajadharma on relief during calamities
FAQs
It gives a vyavahāra (legal) rule: certain categories of cattle (festival-released, newly calved, and stray/guest cows) and their keeper are exempt from seizure or penal liability, especially in circumstances of public calamity.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical civil-jurisprudence (rajadharma/vyavahāra) on livestock management, responsibility, and exceptions—showing the Purana as a handbook of governance and social regulation.
Protecting cows and not punishing those affected by unavoidable calamity is framed as dharma: it reduces harm (hiṃsā) and upholds compassionate, righteous kingship, thereby supporting merit and social order.