Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 58
वाक्पारुष्यादिप्रकरणम्
The Topic of Verbal Abuse and Related Offences
गृहीतः शङ्कया चौर्येनात्मानञ्चेद्विशोधयेत् दापयित्वा हृतं द्रव्यं चौरदण्डेन दण्डयेत्
gṛhītaḥ śaṅkayā cauryenātmānañcedviśodhayet dāpayitvā hṛtaṃ dravyaṃ cauradaṇḍena daṇḍayet
शङ्कया चौर्ये गृहीतो यः स्वात्मानं विशोधयति, तदा हृतं द्रव्यं स्वामिने प्रत्यर्पयेत्; चौरं तु चौरदण्डेन विधिवत् दण्डयेत्।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Judicial procedure for theft cases: handling suspicion, exoneration, restitution, and sentencing of the actual thief.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Theft Case: Exoneration, Restitution, and Punishment","lookup_keywords":["chourya","shanka (suspicion)","vishodhana (exoneration)","hrita-dravya (stolen property)","chora-danda"],"quick_summary":"If an accused is apprehended on suspicion but proves innocence, the stolen goods must still be restored to the rightful owner, and the proven thief receives the legally fixed theft-penalty."}
Concept: Nyaya requires both protection of the innocent and certain punishment of the guilty; restitution is distinct from penal sanction.
Application: Separate evidentiary exoneration from property-restoration; ensure the victim is made whole while the offender is punished per statute.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Governance, Law, and Judicial Procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal court: an accused person stands before the king/judge; evidence clears him; officials return recovered goods to the victim; guards lead the true thief away for sentencing.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style court scene: king on a raised seat with parasol, scribes with palm-leaf manuscripts, the exonerated man with folded hands, restitution of a cloth bundle/coins to the victim, warm earthy reds and ochres, bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: ornate throne with gold leaf, stylized court attendants, the act of handing back a jewel box to the owner, the thief restrained by guards; rich reds, greens, heavy jewelry detailing, gold highlights.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional judicial tableau with labeled roles (king, sabhya, lekhaka, accused, victim), delicate lines, muted palette, emphasis on procedure—exoneration gesture and restitution.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed courtroom with patterned carpets, the judge-king hearing testimony, a clerk recording, recovered goods displayed, the thief being identified; fine architectural background and naturalistic faces."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आत्मानञ्चेत् = आत्मानम् + चेत्; चौर्येनात्मानम् = चौर्येन + आत्मानम्; चौरदण्डेन = चौर + दण्डेन (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 257 (Rajadharma/Vyavahara sections on theft, evidence, and danda)
FAQs
It imparts judicial procedure (vyavahāra-vidyā): when someone is detained on suspicion of theft, the court must allow proof of innocence, ensure restitution of stolen goods, and apply the legally prescribed thief’s punishment to the actual offender.
Beyond theology, it codifies practical statecraft and legal norms—investigation, exoneration, restitution, and penal sentencing—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of governance (rājadharma) alongside ritual and spiritual topics.
It emphasizes dharma through just adjudication: clearing the innocent avoids wrongful sin for rulers and judges, while punishing the true thief upholds moral order and curbs adharma that generates harmful karma in society.