Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 17
Determination of Boundary Disputes and Related Matters (सीमाविवादादिनिर्णयः)
ग्रामेच्छया गोप्रचारो भूमिराजवशेन वा द्विजस्तृणैधःपुष्पाणि सर्वतः स्ववदाहरेत्
grāmecchayā gopracāro bhūmirājavaśena vā dvijastṛṇaidhaḥpuṣpāṇi sarvataḥ svavadāharet
ग्रामेच्छया गोप्रचारो भूमिराजवशेन वा; द्विजस्तृणैधःपुष्पाणि सर्वतः स्ववदाहरेत्।
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Guides village/royal land-use norms: defines permissible collection of minor forest/field produce (grass, fuel-wood, flowers) by a dvija under community consent or royal authority.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rights of Collection on Village/Royal Land (Tṛṇa–Edhaḥ–Puṣpa)","lookup_keywords":["dvija rights","tṛṇa","edhaḥ fuelwood","puṣpa flowers","land regulation"],"quick_summary":"With village consent or under the king’s land authority, a twice-born may gather grass, fuel-wood, and flowers from all around as if his own. It codifies customary access to minor resources while acknowledging governance oversight."}
Concept: Dharma balances individual subsistence needs with communal consent and sovereign authority over land.
Application: Use for resolving disputes over gathering firewood/grass/flowers: verify consent/authority and treat these as permitted minor collections rather than theft.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Smriti-niti (Rules for Brahmin conduct, village and royal land regulations)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dvija calmly collecting grass, fallen fuel-wood, and flowers at the edge of village fields; villagers and a royal boundary marker indicate consent/authority.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style; pastoral village boundary with stylized trees and fields; a dvija in white garments gathering flowers and twigs; villagers gesturing assent; a small royal emblem on a boundary post.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold accents; dvija holding a flower garland and bundle of fuel-wood; village scene with temple in background; ornate borders and luminous highlights.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate lines; instructional land-use scene showing permitted items (grass, wood, flowers) arranged clearly; village elders and a royal officer indicating lawful access.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; detailed rural landscape with fields, hedges, and villagers; dvija collecting fallen wood and flowers; subtle depiction of a royal land marker; naturalistic flora."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ग्रामेच्छया = ग्राम-इच्छया; द्विजस्तृणैधःपुष्पाणि = द्विजः + तृण-एधः-पुष्पाणि
Related Themes: Agni Purana 256 (land, village norms, vyavahara rules)
FAQs
It gives a practical rule of permissible resource collection: a dvija may gather low-value ritual/household items (grass, firewood, flowers) when sanctioned either by village custom/consent or by royal authority over land.
Beyond theology, it records governance and customary law—how communal permission (grāma-icchā) and royal jurisdiction (rāja-vaśa) regulate everyday access to natural resources.
It frames resource-taking within dharma (authorized permission), helping avoid the demerit of theft while enabling legitimate materials for domestic life and worship (especially flowers and fuel for offerings).