Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 22
Chapter 253 — व्यवहारकथनम्
The Account of Legal Procedure
उपस्थितस्य मोक्तव्य आधिर्दण्डो ऽन्यथा भवेत् प्रयोजके सति धनं कुलेन्यस्याधिमाप्नुयात्
upasthitasya moktavya ādhirdaṇḍo 'nyathā bhavet prayojake sati dhanaṃ kulenyasyādhimāpnuyāt
Quando o empenhador comparece (com a quantia devida), o bem empenhado deve ser liberado; caso contrário, incorre-se em penalidade. Se o empenhador estiver indisponível, mas houver um agente devidamente autorizado, este pode, em nome da família, resgatar o penhor e recuperar o bem/a riqueza.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purana’s dharma/nyaya discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Operational rule for pledge redemption: mandatory release upon tender; penalty for refusal; recognition of authorized agents to redeem on behalf of a family.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Redemption of Pledge: Mandatory Release, Penalty for Refusal, and Agency (Prayojaka)","lookup_keywords":["pledge release","redemption tender","danda penalty","pratinidhi agent","kula redemption"],"quick_summary":"When the pledgor tenders the due amount, the pledge must be released or a penalty applies; if the pledgor is absent, an authorized agent may redeem and recover the pledged property for the family."}
Concept: Dharma of non-obstruction: rightful tender must restore property; delegated authority is valid for family continuity.
Application: In civil procedure, accept tender and release collateral; validate agency/authorization to prevent wrongful retention.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Dharma-shastra / Legal Procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pledgor arrives with coins and receipt; the creditor returns the pledged item. In a second scene, an agent bearing a family seal redeems the pledge while the pledgor is absent; a judge warns of penalty for refusal.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: agent with palm-leaf authorization and family emblem; creditor handing back pledge; judge with danda-symbol indicating penalty for non-release; flat iconic figures, temple-court ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-highlighted family seal and decree; creditor returning pledge bundle; coins rendered with gold; judge’s staff indicating danda; ornate pillars framing the court","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: procedural clarity—close-up of authorization document (prayojaka), tender of coins, release of pledge; calm palette and precise linework for instructional feel","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: bustling court with clerk verifying seal; agent in fine attire; creditor reluctantly releasing pledge; marginal notes-like calligraphy indicating 'danda'"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आधिर्दण्डो = आधिः + दण्डः; दण्डोऽन्यथा = दण्डः + अन्यथा; कुलेन्यस्याधिमाप्नुयात् = कुले + अन्यस्य + आधिम् + आप्नुयात्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 253.19-21 (pledge duties and penalties context)
FAQs
It imparts vyavahāra-vidyā (practical legal procedure): a pledge (ādhi) must be released when the debtor appears to redeem it; refusal triggers a fine, and an authorized agent may redeem on the debtor’s behalf.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana codifies governance and civil law—here, rules for secured transactions (pledges/mortgages), agency, and penalties—showing its coverage of administrative and juridical knowledge.
It frames economic conduct as dharma: honoring rightful redemption and avoiding wrongful retention prevents adharma and its karmic consequence, while fair dealings uphold social order (ṛta/dharma).