Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 46
वाक्पारुष्यादिप्रकरणम्
The Topic of Verbal Abuse and Related Offences
राजदैवोपघातेन पण्ये दोषमुपागते हानिर्विक्रेतुरेवासौ याचितस्याप्रयच्छतः
rājadaivopaghātena paṇye doṣamupāgate hānirvikreturevāsau yācitasyāprayacchataḥ
రాజాధికారుల స్వాధీనం లేదా దైవవశాత్తు కారణంతో సరుకులో లోపం ఏర్పడితే, కోరినప్పటికీ తిరిగి తీసుకోని/పరిహారం చేయని అమ్మకందారునికే నష్టం చెందుతుంది।
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Seller’s liability for defects arising from state action (seizure) or force majeure; duty to accept return/restitute when requested.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Seller’s Loss under Rāja-daiva Upaghāta (Seizure/Force Majeure)","lookup_keywords":["raja-daiva","force majeure","seizure","defect in goods","seller liability"],"quick_summary":"If goods become defective due to royal seizure or fate, the seller bears the loss—especially when he refuses to take back the goods or make restitution upon request."}
Concept: Dharma balances power and risk: when external sovereign/fate causes impairment, the seller must not shift the burden unfairly; refusal to remedy aggravates culpability.
Application: Include clauses for seizure/force majeure and return procedures; maintain proof of custody and condition to resolve disputes.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance, Commerce, and Legal Liability)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Royal officers seize or detain goods; later the buyer presents defective goods to the seller requesting return/refund; the seller is shown bearing the loss under legal order.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stern royal guards with seized bundles, buyer approaching seller with damaged goods, judge-like figure indicating seller’s responsibility; dramatic but restrained palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: royal emblem and officers, gold highlights on insignia; seller returning coins or accepting goods back; devotional-dharmic framing with ornate borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional scene: labeled causes—‘rāja’ and ‘daiva’—shown as two icons (royal seal, storm), arrows to ‘doṣa in goods’, then to ‘seller bears loss’.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: officials confiscating goods at a gate, later a shop scene with arbitration; fine architectural detail, expressive faces, documentary feel."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: राजदैवोपघातेन = राज + दैव + उपघातेन; दोषमुपागते = दोषम् + उपागते; हानिर्विक्रेतुरेवासौ = हानिः + विक्रेतुः + एव + असौ; याचितस्याप्रयच्छतः = याचितस्य + अप्रयच्छतः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 257 (liability, defects, fines); Agni Purana rājadharma passages on king’s duty to protect trade
FAQs
It teaches a rule of vyavahāra (juridical procedure): if goods become defective due to royal action or unavoidable calamity, the seller bears the loss—particularly if he refuses to accept return or provide restitution when asked.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana codifies practical governance and civil law—here, commercial liability and consumer protection—showing its wide coverage of statecraft, courts, and economic ethics.
It reinforces dharma in trade: refusing fair restitution is adharma and generates negative karma, while honoring just liability supports social order (ṛta/dharma) and personal merit through truthful dealing.