Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 64
वाक्पारुष्यादिप्रकरणम्
The Topic of Verbal Abuse and Related Offences
दत्त्वा चौरस्य हन्तुर्वा जानतो दम उत्तमः शस्त्रावपाते गर्भस्य पातने चोत्तमो दमः
dattvā caurasya hanturvā jānato dama uttamaḥ śastrāvapāte garbhasya pātane cottamo damaḥ
चौरस्य हन्तुर्वा जानतो यः सहाय्यं ददाति तस्योत्तमो दमो विधीयते। शस्त्रावपाते गर्भपातने चापि उत्तमो दमो विधीयते।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in rajadharma/vyavahāra topics, as typical for the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Defines highest monetary fines for accessory liability (aiding thief/murderer) and for violent assault with weapons and fetal destruction; used in criminal adjudication.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Uttama-danda offences: aiding thief/murderer, weapon-strike, and fetal fall","lookup_keywords":["janato-datta","chora-sahayya","hantu-sahayya","shastravapata","garbha-patana"],"quick_summary":"Knowingly supporting a thief or murderer incurs the highest fine; the same top penalty applies to striking with a weapon and to causing miscarriage/abortion."}
Weapon Type: Shastra (generic weapon)
Concept: Mens rea (knowingly aiding) heightens culpability; protection of life (including fetal life) is a core dharmic priority enforced through uttama-danda.
Application: Judges assess intent/knowledge and apply top-tier fines to deter organized crime, violent assault, and harm to pregnancy.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Vyavahara (Dharma-shastra: criminal law and punishments)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A tribunal weighing cases: a man secretly giving aid to a thief, a weapon assault scene, and a pregnant woman harmed—shown as three vignettes under the rubric of 'uttama dama' (highest fine).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, triptych composition: (1) clandestine handover to a thief, (2) weapon strike halted by guards, (3) pregnant woman protected by attendants; judge in center with palm-leaf decree 'uttamo damah', bold outlines, ritualized gestures.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold accents, central judge and scales of justice, side panels depicting aiding thief and weapon assault, symbolic lotus near pregnant woman to signify protected life, ornate borders, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic layout with labeled vignettes 'chora-sahayya', 'hantu-sahayya', 'shastravapata', 'garbha-patana', fine detailing, subdued palette, emphasis on clarity of offences.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court officials recording fines, side scenes of clandestine aid and weapon assault, delicate rendering of textiles and architecture, expressive faces, balanced narrative panels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हन्तुर्वा = हन्तुः + वा; शस्त्रावपाते = शस्त्र-अवपाते; चोत्तमो = च + उत्तमः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 257 (gradation of danda; offences against life and bodily integrity)
FAQs
It imparts danda-niti (penal jurisprudence): the rule that the maximum fine/penalty applies to knowingly aiding thieves or murderers, to weapon-based assault, and to causing miscarriage/abortion.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical statecraft and legal norms (rajadharma/vyavahara), cataloging offenses and graded punishments—showing its scope as a compendium of governance and social regulation.
By treating these acts as grave offenses warranting the highest penalty, the text frames them as heavy adharma with severe karmic consequence, emphasizing protection of life, social order, and moral responsibility for intentional complicity.