Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 28
वाक्पारुष्यादिप्रकरणम्
The Topic of Verbal Abuse and Related Offences
सामन्तकुलिकादीनामपकारस्य कारकः पञ्चाशत्पणिको दण्ड एषामिति विनिश् चयः
sāmantakulikādīnāmapakārasya kārakaḥ pañcāśatpaṇiko daṇḍa eṣāmiti viniś cayaḥ
சாமந்தன், குலிகன் முதலியோருக்கு அபகாரம் (தீங்கு/அநீதி) செய்பவனுக்கு ஐம்பது பணம் அபராதம் நிர்ணயம்—இவர்களுக்குரிய விதி இதுவே எனத் தீர்மானம்।
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition of the Agni Purana, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Guides a king/judge in fixing a standard monetary fine for offences against specified social functionaries (sāmanta, kulika etc.) to ensure predictable adjudication.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Fifty-paṇa fine for offence against sāmanta/kulika","lookup_keywords":["sāmanta","kulika","pañcāśatpaṇa","daṇḍa","vyavahāra"],"quick_summary":"Injury or wrongdoing directed at certain ranked persons (e.g., sāmanta, kulika) is punished by a fixed fine of fifty paṇas, establishing a tariff-like penalty."}
Concept: Daṇḍanīti as proportional, standardized punishment to protect social order.
Application: Use fixed fine schedules to reduce arbitrariness and maintain trust in courts.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Vyavahara (Dandaniti and legal penalties)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal court where a judge/king pronounces a fixed fine of fifty paṇas for an offence against a sāmanta or guild elder (kulika), with scribes recording the judgment and coins displayed as the assessed penalty.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat earthy palette, a seated king-judge under a canopy, palm-leaf scribes, a sāmanta and kulika standing as protected persons, a tray of coins labeled fifty paṇas, formal court symmetry","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf, ornate throne and arch, king holding a palm-leaf decree, coin heap highlighted with gold, attendants and petitioners in rich textiles, emphasis on judicial authority","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean linework and soft colors, instructional court scene with a written fine schedule tablet showing '50 paṇa', judge pointing to the rule, clerks tallying coins","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed durbar interior, accountants with ledgers, offender presenting coins, sāmanta/kulika in distinct attire, fine inscription panel 'pañcāśatpaṇa-daṇḍa'"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सामन्तकुलिकादीनामपकारस्य → सामन्तकुलिकादीनाम् + अपकारस्य; पञ्चाशत्पणिको → पञ्चाशत् + पणिकः; एषामिति → एषाम् + इति; विनिश् चयः normalized to विनिश्चयः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 257 (Rajadharma/Vyavahara: daṇḍa schedules)
FAQs
It imparts legal-administrative knowledge (daṇḍanīti): a standardized monetary fine (50 paṇas) for committing an offence against specified respected persons such as a sāmanṭa and kulika.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical jurisprudence—codifying offences and fines—showing its coverage of statecraft, social regulation, and legal procedure.
By prescribing proportionate punishment for wrongdoing, it reinforces dharma: restraining harm to socially responsible figures and supporting moral order, which is presented as conducive to both social stability and karmic rectitude.