Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 14
Divya-pramāṇa-kathana
Explanation of Divine Proofs / Ordeals and Evidentiary Procedure
विवादाद्द्विगुणं दण्डं विवास्यो ब्राह्मणः स्मृतः यः साक्ष्यं श्रावितो ऽन्येभ्यो निह्नुते तत्तमोवृतः
vivādāddviguṇaṃ daṇḍaṃ vivāsyo brāhmaṇaḥ smṛtaḥ yaḥ sākṣyaṃ śrāvito 'nyebhyo nihnute tattamovṛtaḥ
వివాదంలో నిరాకరణకు శిక్ష ద్విగుణమని స్మృతి చెబుతుంది; బ్రాహ్మణుడైతే నిర్వాసనం విధించాలి. ఇతరులకు తన సాక్ష్యం వినిపించిన తరువాత దానిని తిరస్కరించేవాడు తమస్సుతో ఆవరించబడ్డవాడని చెప్పబడతాడు.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purāṇa’s rajadharma/vyavahāra material)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Penalty rule for denial/recantation: denial in dispute incurs double penalty; for brāhmaṇa offenders, banishment replaces corporal punishment; moral framing of recantation as tamas.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Double Penalty for Denial; Banishment for Brāhmaṇa; Recantation as Tamas","lookup_keywords":["daṇḍa-dviguṇa","vivāda","brāhmaṇa-vivāsa","nihnuva","tamas"],"quick_summary":"Denial after dispute proceedings attracts a doubled penalty; brāhmaṇas are punished by banishment. Recanting testimony after it has been publicly heard is condemned as a tamasic act."}
Concept: Truthfulness is sattvic; denial/recantation after public testimony is tamasic and socially corrosive; punishment aims at deterrence and restoration of order.
Application: Treat recantation/denial as aggravated misconduct; apply enhanced penalties and status-appropriate sanctions (e.g., banishment).
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Vyavahara (Dharmaśāstra: legal procedure, evidence, and penalties)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A witness or party denies earlier testimony after it was heard; the judge pronounces double penalty and orders banishment for a brāhmaṇa; the denier is shown symbolically under a dark veil (tamas).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, judge in sabhā with attendants, a brāhmaṇa figure being led away for exile, symbolic dark cloud behind the denier, earthy palette and bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate court with gold, judge holding decree scroll, brāhmaṇa with sacred thread escorted outward (banishment), darkened aura around the recanter for tamas symbolism.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional depiction: penalty doubled shown as two stacked coin bags, banishment path indicated, scribe recording testimony, refined pastel tones.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court scene with written deposition read aloud, accused denying, judge ordering exile, chiaroscuro-like dark backdrop behind the denier, intricate textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"solemn","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vivādāddviguṇam = vivādāt + dviguṇam; śrāvito 'nyebhyaḥ = śrāvitaḥ + anyebhyaḥ; tattamovṛtaḥ = tat + tamovṛtaḥ (tamas + vṛtaḥ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 254 (gradation of penalties; witness conduct)
FAQs
It teaches vyavahāra-vidyā (juridical procedure): denying previously given testimony in a dispute warrants a doubled legal penalty, and for a brāhmaṇa the prescribed coercive measure is banishment rather than corporal punishment.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purāṇa compiles practical governance material—rules of evidence, courtroom conduct, and graded punishments—showing its dharmaśāstra and daṇḍanīti coverage alongside ritual and theology.
False denial of testimony is framed as tamasic conduct (tamovṛta), implying moral degeneration and adverse karmic consequences, while upholding truthful witness is treated as a pillar of dharma sustaining social order.