Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 25
Chapter 253 — व्यवहारकथनम्
The Account of Legal Procedure
व्यसनस्थमनाख्याय हस्ते ऽन्यस्य यदर्पयेत् द्रव्यं तदौपनिधिकं प्रतिदेयं तथैव तत्
vyasanasthamanākhyāya haste 'nyasya yadarpayet dravyaṃ tadaupanidhikaṃ pratideyaṃ tathaiva tat
Если человек в бедствии, не объявляя подробностей, вручает имущество в руки другого, то это имущество считается аупанидхика (запечатанный/необъявленный вклад) и должно быть возвращено в точности в том же состоянии.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vashistha, traditional Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Defines aupanidhika (undisclosed/sealed deposit) and mandates return in the same condition; used to adjudicate deposit disputes and liability.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Aupanidhika Nyāsa (Undisclosed/Sealed Deposit)","lookup_keywords":["aupanidhika","nyāsa","deposit law","vyasana","return in same condition"],"quick_summary":"Property entrusted in distress without disclosure is treated as a sealed/undisclosed deposit and must be returned exactly as received, protecting the depositor from misuse or substitution."}
Concept: Fiduciary duty and inviolability of entrusted property, especially when the owner is vulnerable (vyasana).
Application: In custody/bailee cases: classify the deposit as aupanidhika when undisclosed; require restitution in specie (same item), not merely equivalent value.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Dharma-shastra / Legal procedure and property law)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A distressed traveler discreetly hands a wrapped bundle to a householder without explanation; later the same sealed bundle is returned unopened before elders.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized traveler with bundle, householder receiving with both hands, later return scene with village elders, warm ochres, clear gestures of trust","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold detailing on the sealed casket/bundle, dignified figures, emphasis on the intact seal, symmetrical composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic two-panel composition: 'deposit' and 'return', fine outlines, readable seals/cords on the bundle","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior, detailed textiles, sealed parcel with wax/cord, elders witnessing restitution"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vyasanasthamanākhyāya = vyasana-stham + anākhyāya; haste 'nyasya = haste + anyasya; yadarpayet = yat + arpayet; tadaupanidhikaṃ = tat + aupanidhikam; tathaiva = tathā + eva.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 253.26-27 (liability, theft, misappropriation of deposits)
FAQs
It defines the legal category of an aupanidhika (undisclosed/secret deposit) and states the practical rule: such entrusted property must be returned exactly as received.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves dharma-shastra style civil law—here, rules of deposit/bailment and restitution—showing its coverage of governance and jurisprudence.
Upholding trust by returning entrusted goods intact is treated as dharma; violating it incurs moral fault, while faithful restitution supports social order and personal merit.