Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 19
Chapter 253 — व्यवहारकथनम्
The Account of Legal Procedure
गोप्याधिभोग्यो नावृद्धिः सोपकारे ऽथ भाविते नष्टो देयो विनष्टश् च दैवराजकृतादृते
gopyādhibhogyo nāvṛddhiḥ sopakāre 'tha bhāvite naṣṭo deyo vinaṣṭaś ca daivarājakṛtādṛte
Залог/вещь, принятая на хранение и подлежащая сокрытому хранению без пользования, не приносит прироста (процента). Но если её употребили ради прибыли, то даже при утрате она подлежит возмещению; и даже при уничтожении должна быть компенсирована — кроме случаев, когда ущерб произошёл по воле Божией (стихии) или по действию царя (государства).
Lord Agni (instructing Vasiṣṭha in dharma-śāstra style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Rules for deposits/pledges: when interest is due, when the holder must compensate loss, and when liability is excused due to force majeure or state action.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Gopya-Ādhi (Concealed Pledge/Deposit) and Liability for Loss","lookup_keywords":["gopya-adhi","deposit liability","interest on pledge","daiva loss","rajakrita loss"],"quick_summary":"A concealed pledge/deposit not meant for enjoyment yields no increase; if the holder uses it for profit, they must compensate loss or destruction, except when caused by act of God or the king/state."}
Concept: Bhoga (use) creates responsibility; non-use limits claims; daiva and rājya acts limit human liability.
Application: Drafting/deciding disputes on bailment: distinguish safekeeping vs profit-use; apply force-majeure and state-action exceptions.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Legal Procedure; Property, Deposits, and Loss)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A creditor holds a sealed bundle (concealed pledge) in a strongbox; beside it a ledger shows 'no interest'. In another vignette the same pledge is used in trade and later lost in a storm; a judge indicates compensation, with an exception sign for 'daiva/raja'.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style courtroom scene: dharmadhikari judge on a wooden seat, creditor with a sealed cloth bundle and palm-leaf ledger, symbols of storm (daiva) and royal edict (raja) as exemption emblems, earthy reds and greens, flat iconic composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: ornate court with gold-leaf highlights on the judge’s throne and ledger borders, creditor presenting a concealed pledge bundle, separate panel showing trade-use and loss, inscription-like labels for 'bhoga' and 'daiva/raja'","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional legal tableau with clear gestures—judge pointing to rules, creditor holding pledge, merchant scale indicating profit-use, storm cloud icon for act of God, clean lines and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed bazaar-court setting, creditor’s strongbox, fine calligraphic ledger, storm at horizon, royal officer with seal indicating state action, naturalistic faces and textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सोपकारेऽथ = स-उपकारे + अथ; विनष्टश् च = विनष्टः + च; दैवराजकृतादृते = दैव-राज-कृतात् + ऋते; compound ādhibhogyaḥ resolved as आधि-भोग्यः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 253 (Vyavahara: debts, pledges, surety)
FAQs
It gives a legal rule of vyavahāra: a concealed deposit/pledge should not be exploited for gain; if the holder uses it for profit, they bear liability to compensate even if it is later lost or destroyed, except for force majeure (daiva) or state action (rāja-kṛta).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical civil-law norms—covering contracts, pledges, and exceptions to liability—showing its coverage of governance and jurisprudence alongside ritual and cosmology.
It reinforces dharma in economic conduct: avoiding unjust enrichment and honoring trust (deposit/pledge) are treated as righteous duties, while misuse creates moral accountability unless the loss is genuinely beyond human control.