Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 50
Divya-pramāṇa-kathana
Explanation of Divine Proofs / Ordeals and Evidentiary Procedure
देवतागुरुपादाश् च इष्टापूर्तकृतानि च इत्येते सुकराः प्रोक्ताः शपथाः स्वल्पसंशये
devatāgurupādāś ca iṣṭāpūrtakṛtāni ca ityete sukarāḥ proktāḥ śapathāḥ svalpasaṃśaye
Jurar pelas divindades, pelos pés do próprio guru, e pelos atos de iṣṭa e pūrta realizados—estes são ditos os juramentos mais fáceis, a serem usados quando a dúvida é pequena.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Judicial procedure: recommends ‘easy’ oaths for minor doubt—swearing by deities, guru’s feet, and one’s meritorious acts (iṣṭa-pūrta).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Sukara-śapatha (easy oaths) for slight doubt","lookup_keywords":["śapatha","guru-pāda","devatā","iṣṭa-pūrta","vyavahāra"],"quick_summary":"When suspicion is minimal, lighter oaths are prescribed: invoking deities, the guru’s feet, or one’s own religious/charitable merits as the sanction for truthfulness."}
Concept: Truth is upheld through graded sanctions: sacred authority (deva), pedagogical authority (guru), and moral capital (iṣṭa-pūrta).
Application: In dispute resolution, prefer proportionate measures: begin with mild oaths for low-stakes uncertainty before harsher ordeals.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Oaths, Evidence, and Judicial Procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A disputant in a court takes a mild oath: hands folded before a deity image, then touching the guru’s feet, and pointing to records of charitable acts (iṣṭa-pūrta).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, triadic vignette: deity shrine, guru seated with disciple touching feet, and a charity scene (well/temple donation) symbolizing iṣṭa-pūrta, calm judicial palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central oath-taking figure with gold haloed deity panel, richly adorned guru, gold-leaf emphasis on sacred feet and ritual lamps","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic sequence panels showing three oath types, clear gestures (añjali, pāda-sparśa), soft colors and fine outlines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtroom with subtle religious corner shrine, guru figure present, ledger of donations, refined facial expressions and textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: देवतागुरुपादाश् → देवता-गुरु-पादाः (श् before च); इष्टापूर्तकृतानि → इष्टा-पूर्त-कृतानि; इत्येते → इति + एते
Related Themes: Agni Purana 254 (oaths and ordeals in vyavahāra)
FAQs
It classifies “easy” (sukara) oaths for dispute-resolution: swearing by deities, by the guru’s feet, and by one’s iṣṭa–pūrta merits, specifically recommended when the contested doubt is minor.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical governance material—courtroom norms, evidentiary tools, and graded oath-procedures—showing its wide coverage from ritual to jurisprudence (vyavahāra).
By invoking deities, the guru, and accumulated religious merit (iṣṭa–pūrta), the oath ties truth-speaking to sacred accountability; falsehood would imply spiritual demerit and violation of reverence toward divine and teacher.