Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 18
Chapter 253 — व्यवहारकथनम्
The Account of Legal Procedure
आधिः प्रणश्येत् द्विगुणे धने यदि न मोक्ष्यते काले कालकृतं नश्येत् फलभोग्यो न नश्यति
ādhiḥ praṇaśyet dviguṇe dhane yadi na mokṣyate kāle kālakṛtaṃ naśyet phalabhogyo na naśyati
ఋణము రెండింతలు అయినప్పుడు ఆది (గిరవి) నశించినదిగా/జప్తైనదిగా భావించబడుతుంది; నిర్ణీత కాలంలో విమోచించకపోతే కాలప్రభావంతో అది నశిస్తుంది. అయితే ఫలభోగ్యంగా (ఫలాన్ని అనుభవించుటకు) ఉంచిన గిరవి నశించదు.
Lord Agni (instructing Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Rules for pledges/mortgages: when a pledge is forfeited (on debt doubling or missed redemption time) versus when it remains non-forfeitable because it is held only for usufruct (phalabhogya).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Ādhi forfeiture and phalabhogya (usufruct pledge) exception","lookup_keywords":["ādhi","pledge","forfeiture","kāla","phalabhogya"],"quick_summary":"A pledged article is forfeited when the debt becomes double or when not redeemed within the agreed time. But a pledge given for enjoyment of produce (usufruct) is not forfeited."}
Concept: Contractual clarity (kāla-niyama) and proportionality in security interests; distinguishing ownership-transfer forfeiture from usufruct arrangements.
Application: In drafting/adjudicating pledges: specify redemption time; track debt growth; classify pledge as forfeitable ādhi or non-forfeitable phalabhogya to prevent unjust enrichment.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Vyavahara (Debt, Wealth, and Time-bound Obligations)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A lender holds a pledged item; a calendar/time-marker and a doubling ledger show the debt becoming double leading to forfeiture. In a parallel scene, a field/orchard pledge is shown where the lender only enjoys the harvest (phalabhoga) while ownership remains with the debtor.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, split narrative: left—pledged jewel/utensil with ledger showing 'double' and a time wheel indicating lapse; right—lush field with lender collecting fruits while debtor retains land, bold outlines and symbolic time motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted pledge object and ledger, ornate time-disc, second panel with golden harvest baskets indicating usufruct, rich reds/greens and decorative borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional two-panel diagram: forfeitable ādhi vs phalabhogya, clear depiction of time limit and debt doubling, fine linework and muted palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, accountant with ledger, lender and debtor negotiating pledge, detailed orchard harvest scene for phalabhogya, architectural interior transitioning to landscape, delicate shading"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रणश्येत् → praṇaśyet; कालकृतं → kāla-kṛtam; रसश्च etc not in this verse.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 253 (ādhi, ṛṇa, kāla-niyama)
FAQs
It imparts technical legal knowledge (vyavahāra-vidyā) on pledges: when a pawned security is forfeited (on the debt doubling or on failure to redeem in time) and the special exception for a usufructuary pledge (phalabhogya).
Beyond myth and worship, it codifies practical civil-law rules—loan security, redemption deadlines, and categories of pledge—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of governance and jurisprudence alongside religious instruction.
By prescribing fair, time-bound conduct in debts and pledges, it supports dharma in economic life—reducing exploitation and encouraging truthful, orderly transactions that align with righteous livelihood (dhārmika-vyavahāra).