Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 34
वाक्पारुष्यादिप्रकरणम्
The Topic of Verbal Abuse and Related Offences
तुलाशासनमानानां कूटकृन्नाणकस्य च एभिश् च व्यवहर्ता यः स दाप्यो दण्डमुत्तमम्
tulāśāsanamānānāṃ kūṭakṛnnāṇakasya ca ebhiś ca vyavahartā yaḥ sa dāpyo daṇḍamuttamam
பொய்யான தராசு, எடை, அளவுகள் அல்லது கள்ள நாணயங்களைப் பயன்படுத்தி வியாபாரம் செய்பவன் உயர்ந்த (அதிகபட்ச) தண்டனை செலுத்த வேண்டும்.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, within rajadharma/vyavahāra discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Authorizes severe punishment for fraud in trade via falsified scales/weights/measures and counterfeit coinage, supporting market integrity and state revenue protection.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Highest penalty for falsified measures and counterfeit coinage","lookup_keywords":["tulā-māna","śāsana (measure)","kūṭa-kṛt","nānaka (coin)","uttama-daṇḍa"],"quick_summary":"Using forged weights/measures or counterfeit coins in transactions warrants the maximum fine, treating market fraud as a high-grade offence."}
Concept: Satya (truthfulness) in exchange is a pillar of social order; daṇḍa safeguards collective trust.
Application: Institute inspections of weights/coinage; impose exemplary fines to deter systemic cheating.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Vyavahara (Law, Justice, and Governance)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Market inspection: an official checks a merchant’s balance scale and standardized weights; another officer examines coins, revealing counterfeit pieces; the judge orders the highest fine.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bazaar with stylized figures, official holding a balance scale, standardized stone weights, coins displayed on a cloth, stern judge in background, bold outlines and saturated colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central figure of market inspector with ornate scale, gold-highlighted coin tray, merchant in supplication, royal emblem behind, heavy gold borders and rich reds/greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear didactic composition: close-up of scale, weights, measuring rod, coin inspection with magnifier-like gesture, calm but firm officials, fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bustling market with detailed stalls, inspector weighing goods, coin assayer examining currency, court clerk noting penalty, intricate textiles and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tulāśāsanamānānāṃ → tulā śāsana mānānām (समुच्चय-समासवत्); kūṭakṛnnāṇakasya → kūṭa-kṛt nāṇakasya; ebhiś ca → ebhiḥ ca; daṇḍamuttamam → daṇḍam uttamam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 257 (market offences and graded penalties)
FAQs
It gives a rule of vyavahāra (juridical practice): using falsified scales/weights/measures or counterfeit coinage in transactions is a serious offense punishable by the highest daṇḍa (penalty).
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical governance material—commercial regulation, legal standards, and punishment—showing it functions as a compendium of statecraft and social order.
By condemning fraud in trade and mandating severe punishment, the text frames economic dishonesty as adharma that disrupts social trust; enforcing justice protects dharma and reduces collective karmic harm.