Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 6
वाक्पारुष्यादिप्रकरणम्
The Topic of Verbal Abuse and Related Offences
अशक्तस्तु वदन्नेवन्दण्डनीयः पणान् दश तथा शक्तः प्रतिभुवं दद्यात् क्षेमाय तस्य तु
aśaktastu vadannevandaṇḍanīyaḥ paṇān daśa tathā śaktaḥ pratibhuvaṃ dadyāt kṣemāya tasya tu
Ngunit ang taong walang kakayahan (magbigay ng kinakailangang panagot o bayad) at gayon pa man ay nagsasalita nang ganito ay papatawan ng multang sampung paṇa; samantalang ang may kakayahan ay dapat magbigay ng pratibhu (tagapanagot) para sa katiwasayan at pagtiyak sa pagsunod/pagharap ng taong iyon.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Court procedure for surety (pratibhu) and penalizing frivolous/unsupported assertions by those unable to furnish security; ensuring appearance/compliance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Surety (Pratibhu) and Fine for Inability with Improper Pleading","lookup_keywords":["pratibhu","kshema","dasha-pana","vyavahara-procedure","surety-law"],"quick_summary":"If a person cannot provide the required security yet persists in such claims, he is fined ten paṇas; if able, he must furnish a surety to guarantee compliance/appearance, protecting the court process."}
Concept: Nyaya requires enforceability: speech in court must be backed by capacity/security; surety safeguards both litigant and state.
Application: Implement bail/surety mechanisms; penalize obstructive or irresponsible pleadings that burden adjudication.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Dharma-shastra / Legal Procedure and Surety)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A courtroom where a litigant fails to produce surety; the judge orders a small fine (ten paṇas). Another person steps forward as guarantor, placing a pledge before the clerk.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, king-judge gesturing toward a small coin pile (ten paṇas), guarantor offering a pledge, scribe with palm-leaf ledger, symmetrical court setting with traditional costumes.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted coin pile and pledge token, judge on ornate throne, guarantor with folded hands, rich textile patterns and embossed gold borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, procedural clarity: guarantor handing a written bond, clerk recording, minimalistic coin depiction, calm didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate court scene with ledger and seal, guarantor presenting security, fine coins arranged, architectural niche background and detailed garments."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: aśaktastu = aśaktaḥ + tu; vadannevam = vadan + evam; evandaṇḍanīyaḥ = evam + daṇḍanīyaḥ (anusvāra sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 257 (vyavahara: procedural rules, fines)
FAQs
It gives technical legal procedure (vyavahāra-vidyā): the assessment of a monetary fine (ten paṇas) and the requirement of a surety (pratibhu) to guarantee security/compliance in a dispute.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical governance material—courtroom enforcement, fines, and surety-bonds—showing it functions as a compendium of dharma, administration, and civil law.
By prescribing proportionate penalties and safeguards, it supports dharma through truthful procedure and social order; adherence reduces harm and injustice, which is treated as ethically meritorious and stabilizing for society.