Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 34
Divya-pramāṇa-kathana
Explanation of Divine Proofs / Ordeals and Evidentiary Procedure
तुलाधारणविद्वद्भिरभियुक्तस्तुलाश्रितः प्रतिमानसमीभूतो रेखां कृत्वावतारितः
tulādhāraṇavidvadbhirabhiyuktastulāśritaḥ pratimānasamībhūto rekhāṃ kṛtvāvatāritaḥ
தராசு-சடங்கில் தேர்ந்த அறிஞர்கள் அறிவுறுத்த, விசாரணைக்குள்ளானவர் தராசில் ஏற வேண்டும்; அளவுக் கல்லுடன் சமமாக்கி ஒரு கோடு (குறி) இட்டு, பின்னர் அவரை இறக்க வேண்டும்।
Lord Agni (in dialogue form of the Agni Purana, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Operational steps of the balance-ordeal: supervised mounting, equalizing to a standard weight, marking the reference line, and lowering—creating a repeatable protocol for later comparison.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Tulā-divya procedure: mounting, equalizing, marking, descent","lookup_keywords":["tulā-dhāraṇa","pratimāna","rekhā","abhiyukta","tulā-śrita"],"quick_summary":"Experts conduct the weighing-rite by placing the accused on the scale, balancing to a standard weight, drawing a reference mark, and bringing him down for subsequent verification."}
Concept: Truth-testing is procedural and replicable: standardization (pratimāna) and documentation (rekhā) are essential to fairness.
Application: Creating auditable legal processes: baseline measurement, marking, and controlled repetition to reduce arbitrariness.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Prayashchitta and judicial-ritual procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A close procedural scene: experts adjust a large balance; the accused stands on the pan; a standard weight is matched; a scribe draws a line mark on a post/beam; attendants lower the accused carefully.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, strong contour lines, large ceremonial balance with carved beam, experts in white dhoti guiding the accused onto the pan, a clear red rekhā mark on a pillar, restrained palette conveying solemn procedure","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold on the balance beam and weights, the rekhā mark highlighted, experts and scribe arranged symmetrically, ornate court backdrop, emphasis on the sacredness of measurement","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style technical illustration feel, precise depiction of scale, standard weights, and the marking step, calm faces, clear spatial layout for instructional readability","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature with meticulous mechanical detail of the balance, attendants adjusting weights, a clerk drawing the line mark, patterned textiles and court architecture framing the scene"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तुलाधारणविद्वद्भिरभियुक्तः = तुलाधारणविद्वद्भिः + अभियुक्तः; तुलाश्रितः = तुला + आश्रितः; रेखां कृत्वावतारितः = रेखाम् + कृत्वा + अवतारितः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 254.33 (who receives tulā ordeal); Agni Purana 254.36 (invocation to the balance)
FAQs
It gives a procedural step of the tulā-dhāraṇa (weighing) rite: the examinee is placed on the balance, equalized against a standard weight, a reference mark is drawn for record/comparison, and then the person is lowered.
Beyond mythology, it preserves practical Dharma-shastra-style protocol—using measurement, standardization (pratimāna), and documentation (rekhā)—showing the text’s coverage of ritual-legal techniques alongside theology.
By prescribing a controlled, witness-based procedure, it frames the act as a dharmic test/expiatory method meant to establish truth and reduce the karmic burden associated with accusation, uncertainty, or ritual impurity.