Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 56
Chapter 226 — राजधर्माः
Rājadharma: Royal Duties and Daṇḍanīti
प्रतिमासङ्क्रमभिदो दद्युः पञ्चशतानि ते समैश् च विषमं यो वा चरते मूल्यतो ऽपि वा
pratimāsaṅkramabhido dadyuḥ pañcaśatāni te samaiś ca viṣamaṃ yo vā carate mūlyato 'pi vā
மாதாந்திர மாற்றம்/சுழற்சி விதிகளை மீறுவோர் ஐந்நூறு அபராதம் செலுத்த வேண்டும். அதுபோல சமமானவர்களுடன் அநியாயமாக ஒழுங்கற்ற வியாபாரம் செய்வோரும், விலையிலும் மதிப்பிலும் சூழ்ச்சி செய்வோரும் தண்டிக்கப்பட வேண்டும்.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in encyclopedic dharma and legal procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Market regulation: enforce periodic (monthly) compliance rules and penalize unfair trade practices including price manipulation; supports consumer protection and fair commerce.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Fines for violating monthly regulations and for irregular/unfair dealings","lookup_keywords":["pratimasankrama","panchashata-danda","vishama-vyavahara","samaih","mulya"],"quick_summary":"Violations of prescribed monthly compliance/rotation rules incur a heavy fine; unfair dealings among equals or manipulation of declared value/price is likewise punishable."}
Concept: Fair dealing (ṛju-vyavahāra) and adherence to public regulations as social dharma.
Application: Implement standardized schedules/registrations and penalize deceptive pricing and discriminatory dealing.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Vyavahara (Law, fines, and civic regulation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Type: Marketplace/administrative domain
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A regulated marketplace where an inspector fines traders for violating monthly rules and for manipulating prices; scales and price boards are checked.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, bazaar rendered iconically with rows of goods, inspector with staff and palm-leaf ledger, traders with balance scales, bold colors and patterned borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, market inspector under ornate canopy, gold-leaf highlights on scales and coin bags, traders presenting goods, emphasis on prosperity controlled by dharma.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic scene: inspector comparing weights, pointing to a posted price (mūlya), issuing fine ‘500’, neat composition and fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, lively market with textiles and spices, official examining scales and written price list, scribes recording fines, rich architectural backdrop."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मूल्यतो ऽपि = मूल्यतः + अपि (अवग्रह). प्रतिमासङ्क्रमभिदः is a तत्पुरुष compound; exact referent of ‘सङ्क्रम’ context-dependent.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 226 (vyavahāra: fines, trade ethics, civic rules)
FAQs
It imparts vyavahāra-vidyā (legal-administrative knowledge): the rule that violating prescribed monthly transfer/rotation norms and engaging in unfair dealings or price manipulation incurs a fixed monetary fine (500).
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical civil law—detailing fines, market ethics, and administrative compliance—showing its coverage of governance, justice, and economic regulation.
By discouraging deceitful valuation and irregular conduct through penalties, it upholds dharma in livelihood; fair dealing reduces pāpa (demerit) and supports social order, which is treated as a religious duty of subjects and rulers alike.