Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 18
Chapter 253 — व्यवहारकथनम्
The Account of Legal Procedure
आधिः प्रणश्येत् द्विगुणे धने यदि न मोक्ष्यते काले कालकृतं नश्येत् फलभोग्यो न नश्यति
ādhiḥ praṇaśyet dviguṇe dhane yadi na mokṣyate kāle kālakṛtaṃ naśyet phalabhogyo na naśyati
جب قرض دوگنا ہو جائے تو گروی (آدھی) ضبط/زائل سمجھی جاتی ہے؛ اگر مقررہ وقت پر چھڑائی نہ جائے تو وقت گزرنے سے وہ ساقط ہو جاتی ہے۔ مگر جو گروی پیداوار کے انتفاع (فَل بھوگیہ) کے لیے ہو وہ ساقط نہیں ہوتی۔
Lord Agni (instructing Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Rules for pledges/mortgages: when a pledge is forfeited (on debt doubling or missed redemption time) versus when it remains non-forfeitable because it is held only for usufruct (phalabhogya).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Ādhi forfeiture and phalabhogya (usufruct pledge) exception","lookup_keywords":["ādhi","pledge","forfeiture","kāla","phalabhogya"],"quick_summary":"A pledged article is forfeited when the debt becomes double or when not redeemed within the agreed time. But a pledge given for enjoyment of produce (usufruct) is not forfeited."}
Concept: Contractual clarity (kāla-niyama) and proportionality in security interests; distinguishing ownership-transfer forfeiture from usufruct arrangements.
Application: In drafting/adjudicating pledges: specify redemption time; track debt growth; classify pledge as forfeitable ādhi or non-forfeitable phalabhogya to prevent unjust enrichment.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Vyavahara (Debt, Wealth, and Time-bound Obligations)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A lender holds a pledged item; a calendar/time-marker and a doubling ledger show the debt becoming double leading to forfeiture. In a parallel scene, a field/orchard pledge is shown where the lender only enjoys the harvest (phalabhoga) while ownership remains with the debtor.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, split narrative: left—pledged jewel/utensil with ledger showing 'double' and a time wheel indicating lapse; right—lush field with lender collecting fruits while debtor retains land, bold outlines and symbolic time motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted pledge object and ledger, ornate time-disc, second panel with golden harvest baskets indicating usufruct, rich reds/greens and decorative borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional two-panel diagram: forfeitable ādhi vs phalabhogya, clear depiction of time limit and debt doubling, fine linework and muted palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, accountant with ledger, lender and debtor negotiating pledge, detailed orchard harvest scene for phalabhogya, architectural interior transitioning to landscape, delicate shading"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रणश्येत् → praṇaśyet; कालकृतं → kāla-kṛtam; रसश्च etc not in this verse.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 253 (ādhi, ṛṇa, kāla-niyama)
FAQs
It imparts technical legal knowledge (vyavahāra-vidyā) on pledges: when a pawned security is forfeited (on the debt doubling or on failure to redeem in time) and the special exception for a usufructuary pledge (phalabhogya).
Beyond myth and worship, it codifies practical civil-law rules—loan security, redemption deadlines, and categories of pledge—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of governance and jurisprudence alongside religious instruction.
By prescribing fair, time-bound conduct in debts and pledges, it supports dharma in economic life—reducing exploitation and encouraging truthful, orderly transactions that align with righteous livelihood (dhārmika-vyavahāra).