Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 20
Divya-pramāṇa-kathana
Explanation of Divine Proofs / Ordeals and Evidentiary Procedure
अलिपिज्ञ ऋणी यः स्यालेकयेत् स्वमतन्तु सः साक्षी वा साक्षिणान्येन सर्वसाक्षिसमीपतः
alipijña ṛṇī yaḥ syālekayet svamatantu saḥ sākṣī vā sākṣiṇānyena sarvasākṣisamīpataḥ
Se o devedor for analfabeto, então a sua própria declaração deve ser posta por escrito; e ele (o devedor) deve servir como testemunha, ou outro (idôneo) o fará, na presença de todas as testemunhas.
Lord Agni (teaching sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Providing a legally valid method for executing documents when a party is illiterate, ensuring consent is recorded and witnessed to prevent coercion or fabrication.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Alipijña-rṇī-vyavahara (Procedure when the debtor is illiterate)","lookup_keywords":["alipijna","rni","statement-written","presence-of-witnesses","competent-writer"],"quick_summary":"If the debtor cannot write, his statement is written down and validated in the presence of all witnesses, with appropriate witnessing arrangements to preserve evidentiary integrity."}
Concept: Nyāya (fair procedure) accommodates incapacity (illiteracy) while preserving pramāṇa through collective witnessing.
Application: When a signer cannot write, record their spoken assent verbatim and complete execution only before all witnesses (and/or a competent proxy) to prevent later challenge.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Dharma-shastra / Legal Procedure and Evidence)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An illiterate debtor speaks his assent while a clerk writes it down; all witnesses stand close, observing the recording to ensure accuracy and voluntariness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, debtor gesturing as he speaks, scribe writing, witnesses arranged in a semicircle, emphasis on collective presence, warm tones and stylized court interior","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central scene of oral statement being transcribed, gold detailing on the document and court ornaments, witnesses prominently displayed to signify validation","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional composition showing ‘spoken statement’ being written with witnesses nearby, clear roles (debtor, scribe, witnesses), calm administrative clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate office scene, debtor dictating, scribe writing swiftly, witnesses leaning in, detailed textiles and writing implements, documentary realism"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"formal","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: syālekayet = syāt lekayet (त् + ल → ल् with elision in writing); svamatantu = sva-matam tu; sākṣiṇānyena = sākṣiṇā anyena; samīpataḥ is avyaya with -tas.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 254 (evidence, witnesses, document execution)
FAQs
It gives a rule of legal documentation: when a debtor is illiterate, his declaration must be reduced to writing and validated in the presence of witnesses (either by the debtor as witness or through another competent witness).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical governance and jurisprudence—here, procedures for written evidence and witness-attestation in debt disputes—showing its coverage of statecraft and civil law.
By insisting on transparent documentation and witness presence, the verse supports dharma in transactions, reducing fraud and false testimony—acts that are treated as serious adharma with negative karmic consequences.