Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 36
Divya-pramāṇa-kathana
Explanation of Divine Proofs / Ordeals and Evidentiary Procedure
त्वं तुले सत्यधामासि पुरा देवैर् विनिर्मिता सत्यं वदस्व कल्याणि संशयान्मां विमोचय
tvaṃ tule satyadhāmāsi purā devair vinirmitā satyaṃ vadasva kalyāṇi saṃśayānmāṃ vimocaya
O Timbangan, ikaw ang tahanan ng katotohanan, nilikha noong unang panahon ng mga diyos. O mapalad na isa, sabihin ang katotohanan at palayain ako sa lahat ng pag-aalinlangan.
Ritual petitioner / litigant invoking the Tula (balance) in a satya-pariksha (ordeal/oath context)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"A formal oath/invocation addressed to the balance before the tulā-ordeal, framing the instrument as divine and truth-bearing to compel truthful outcome and calm doubt in adjudication.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Tulā-satyādhāma invocation (oath to the balance)","lookup_keywords":["tulā-mantra","satyadhāma","divya","śaṅkā-nivṛtti","vyavahāra-śapatha"],"quick_summary":"The litigant invokes the balance as a god-made abode of truth, requesting revelation of truth and removal of doubt—serving as the spoken sanctification of the weighing ordeal."}
Alamkara Type: Sambodhana (direct address)
Concept: Satya is approached through sanctified speech: invoking truth as a living principle transforms a material instrument into a moral witness.
Application: Using solemn oaths to reinforce integrity in testimony and to psychologically bind the speaker to truthfulness.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Nyaya (Oaths, Truth-testing, Legal-Ritual Procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The accused stands before a large balance, palms joined, addressing the scale as a divine presence; the balance subtly anthropomorphized with a gentle feminine aura, while Brahmins and officials witness the oath.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central ornate balance with a faint goddess-like visage suggested in the beam, accused in añjali-mudrā, Brahmins chanting, warm lamp-lit court, emphasis on sacred speech and truth","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold halo around the balance as ‘Satyadhāma’, accused praying, rich gold work on the scale and ornaments, serene devotional mood within a court setting","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean composition showing the oath moment, expressive but restrained faces, the balance rendered prominently, subtle aura around it, scribes and Brahmins as witnesses","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate courtroom scene with the accused addressing the scale, fine calligraphic cartouche feel, detailed textiles and architecture, the balance highlighted with luminous paint to suggest divinity"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सत्यधामासि = सत्यधामा + असि; देवैर् = देवैः (रेफ-सन्धि); संशयान्मां = संशयात् + माम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 254.34 (tulā procedure); Agni Purana 254.35 (witness doctrine supporting oath)
FAQs
It gives the mantra-like invocation used in a satya-pariksha where the balance/scale is addressed as a divine witness to compel truthful disclosure and remove suspicion.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied Rajadharma—judicial-ritual techniques (oaths/ordeals) for dispute resolution—showing the text’s coverage of governance and legal procedure.
Invoking the balance as the ‘abode of truth’ frames truthfulness as a sacred act: speaking truth purifies intent and is presented as a dharmic means to dispel doubt and wrongdoing.