Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 21
Divya-pramāṇa-kathana
Explanation of Divine Proofs / Ordeals and Evidentiary Procedure
उभयाभ्यर्थितेनैतन्मया ह्य् अमुकसूनुना लिखितं ह्य् अमुकेनेति लेखको ऽथान्ततो लिखेत्
ubhayābhyarthitenaitanmayā hy amukasūnunā likhitaṃ hy amukeneti lekhako 'thāntato likhet
Pagkatapos, sa pinakahuli, ang tagasulat ay dapat magsulat: “Ito ay isinulat ko—si ganito, anak ni ganito—sa kahilingan ng dalawang panig, (at) para kay ganito.”
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purana’s dharma/legal sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Establishing scribe accountability and neutrality by requiring an explicit colophon stating authorship, patronymic, and that writing was done at both parties’ request.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Lekhaka-colophon (Scribe’s concluding attestation)","lookup_keywords":["lekhaka","colophon","ubhayabhyarthita","amuka-sunu","document-end"],"quick_summary":"At the end of the document, the scribe must add a signed statement identifying himself (with patronymic) and affirming he wrote it at the request of both parties, strengthening authenticity and reducing tampering claims."}
Concept: Lekhana as dharmic public trust: the writer’s accountability and impartiality are part of valid pramāṇa.
Application: Always include a scribe’s end-note with identity and statement of joint request; treat it like a modern notarial/attestation block.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Lekhana-vidhi (Documentary & Legal Formulae)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At the document’s end, the scribe writes a concluding attestation naming himself as son of so-and-so and stating he wrote it at both parties’ request; parties and witnesses look on as the final line is added.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, scribe adding the final colophon line, document held steady, parties on either side to show ‘both requested’, witnesses behind, stylized ornaments and warm palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted final line of the document, scribe with halo-like emphasis on duty, parties symmetrically placed, ornate court setting","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear depiction of the ‘scribe’s colophon’ block at the bottom of the document, with the scribe pointing to it as a formal closure, refined colors and neat composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, close-up of the bottom of the page where the scribe writes his identification, detailed pen case and inkpot, attentive witnesses, architectural frame"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"formal","suggested_raga":"Khamas","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ubhayābhyarthitenaitanmayā = ubhayābhyarthitena etat mayā; hy amuka- = hi amuka-; amukeneti = amukena iti; lekhako 'tha = lekhakaḥ atha (विसर्ग-लोप); 'thāntato = atha antataḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 254 (lekhana-vidhi and authentication chain)
FAQs
It gives the technical rule for a deed’s closing colophon: the scribe must record that the document was written by him (with identifying lineage) at the request of both parties, and indicate the concerned person/beneficiary—serving as an authentication formula.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical civil-administrative knowledge—how to draft and authenticate documents—showing its coverage of governance, legal procedure, and record-keeping alongside ritual and spiritual topics.
By prescribing truthful attribution and clear consent of both parties, it supports dharma through preventing fraud and dispute; accurate documentation is treated as a dharmic act that upholds social order and ethical conduct.