Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 6
Chapter 255: दायविभागकथनम्
On the Division of Inheritance
सामान्यार्थसमुत्थाने विभागस्तु समः स्मृतः अनेकपितृकाणान्तु पितृतो भागकल्पना
sāmānyārthasamutthāne vibhāgastu samaḥ smṛtaḥ anekapitṛkāṇāntu pitṛto bhāgakalpanā
सामान्यार्थसमुत्थाने विभागस्तु समः स्मृतः। अनेकपितृकाणान्तु पितृतो भागकल्पना॥
Lord Agni (instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Determining equal partition for jointly sourced property, and differentiated shares in mixed-paternity heir groups based on paternal line—useful for adjudication and family settlements.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Equal partition for common-source property; paternal-line shares for multiple-father heirs","lookup_keywords":["joint property","equal partition","multiple fathers","share calculation","dāya"],"quick_summary":"If the estate arises from a common/joint source, partition is equal; where heirs trace to different fathers, shares are computed according to each father’s entitlement/line."}
Concept: Equity depends on the source of property and the structure of lineage; dharma applies different rules to joint acquisition vs segmented paternal lines.
Application: In complex families, first classify property as joint/common-source or paternal-line-specific; then apply equal division or father-wise computation accordingly.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Vyavahara (Inheritance and Partition Law)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A diagram-like family settlement: one common treasury feeding equal shares; beside it, separate paternal branches each receiving proportional allotments; elders point to a family tree.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; stylized family tree motif, common pot at center with equal streams to heirs, separate pots for different fathers, elders indicating rules with hand gestures.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore; gold-highlighted central treasury pot, symmetrical equal-share distribution, side panels showing paternal branches, ornate borders emphasizing order.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore; clean instructional scene with visual flow-lines from common source to equal shares, and father-wise branching, soft colors and precise outlines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; refined genealogical court scene with a painted family tree scroll, accountants allocating shares into separate trays, architectural depth and fine detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Arabhi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सामान्यार्थसमुत्थाने → सामान्य + अर्थ + समुत्थाने (compound chain); विभागस्तु → विभागः + तु; अनेकपितृकाणान्तु → अनेक + पितृकाणाम् + तु; भागकल्पना → भाग + कल्पना (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 255 (partition principles; lineage-based allocation)
FAQs
It imparts vyavahāra-vidyā (practical legal doctrine): equal division for jointly arisen/common property, and father-wise share calculation when heirs belong to different paternal lines.
Beyond ritual and theology, the Agni Purana also preserves dharma-śāstra material—here, concrete rules of inheritance and partition—showing its coverage of governance and civil law alongside spiritual topics.
Fair partition according to dharma reduces conflict, prevents unjust appropriation (adharma), and supports social order—actions aligned with righteousness are taught to yield merit and avoid karmic fault.