Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 36
Chapter 226 — राजधर्माः
Rājadharma: Royal Duties and Daṇḍanīti
शेषे ऽप्येकादशगुणं तस्य दण्डं प्रकल्पयेत् सुवर्णरजतादीनां नृस्त्रीणां हरणे बधः
śeṣe 'pyekādaśaguṇaṃ tasya daṇḍaṃ prakalpayet suvarṇarajatādīnāṃ nṛstrīṇāṃ haraṇe badhaḥ
మిగిలిన ఇతర సందర్భాలలో కూడా అతనికి పదకొండు రెట్లు దండం విధించాలి. బంగారం, వెండి మొదలైనవి దొంగతనం చేయడం మరియు పురుషుడు లేదా స్త్రీని అపహరించడం—ఇవాటికి వధశిక్ష.
Lord Agni (in dialogue with sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Rule for enhanced fines (elevenfold) in remaining theft cases; capital punishment for precious-metal theft and abduction.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Elevenfold punishment; execution for precious-metal theft and abduction","lookup_keywords":["ekādaśaguṇa-daṇḍa","suvarṇa-steya","rajata-steya","nara-haraṇa","strī-haraṇa"],"quick_summary":"Beyond specified cases, punishment may be set at eleven times; theft of gold/silver and kidnapping/abduction are treated as capital crimes."}
Concept: Deterrence for high-impact crimes: economic destabilization (bullion theft) and bodily autonomy violations (abduction).
Application: Classify crimes by societal harm; apply multiplier fines for general cases and reserve capital punishment for gravest offenses.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma / Vyavahāra (Law, Punishments, and Governance)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: Samanya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A courtroom where stolen gold and silver are displayed as evidence; a separate vignette shows an abduction being stopped by guards; the king orders an elevenfold penalty in other cases and execution for these grave crimes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, royal sabha with gleaming gold/silver objects, guards restraining an abductor in a side panel, strong red-ochre tones conveying severity","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold leaf emphasizing suvarṇa/rajata, king enthroned with authoritative gesture, attendants holding evidence, ornate borders and halos","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear didactic layout: evidence table with metals, legal scribe noting '11-fold', separate scene of abduction and capture, refined linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed jewelry/coins as evidence, dynamic street abduction vignette, then court sentencing, meticulous facial expressions and textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śeṣe 'api → śeṣe 'pi (विसर्ग-लोप); api + ekādaśaguṇam → 'pyekādaśaguṇam (यण्/व्यञ्जनसन्धि)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 226 (danda, theft, and aggravated offenses)
FAQs
It imparts daṇḍanīti (penal jurisprudence): prescribing an elevenfold penalty in certain remaining offenses, and declaring execution for theft of precious metals and for abduction of men or women.
Alongside rituals and theology, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves practical statecraft—crime classification and punishments—showing its coverage of governance and legal procedure as part of a broad compendium.
By framing severe penalties for high-harm acts like abduction and major theft, the text underscores their grave adharma and the need for strong corrective justice to protect social order and reduce collective karmic harm.