Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 3
Chapter 154: विवाहः
Vivāha — Marriage
वैश्या प्रतीदमादद्याद्दशां वै चान्त्यजा तथा सकृत् कन्या प्रदातव्या हरंस्तां चौरदण्डभाक्
vaiśyā pratīdamādadyāddaśāṃ vai cāntyajā tathā sakṛt kanyā pradātavyā haraṃstāṃ cauradaṇḍabhāk
Người nữ vaiśyā nên nhận điều này làm sính lễ (giá cô dâu); người nữ antyajā cũng vậy, nên nhận mười (đơn vị). Một thiếu nữ chỉ được gả một lần; kẻ nào bắt cóc nàng sẽ chịu hình phạt như kẻ trộm.
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, the Agni Purana’s standard narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Guidance on bride-price norms (economic custom), one-time gifting of a maiden, and penal liability for abduction—useful for adjudication and social regulation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bride-price norm and theft-penalty for carrying off a maiden","lookup_keywords":["bride-price","kanyā pradāna once","abduction penalty","cora-daṇḍa","vyavahāra"],"quick_summary":"Mentions accepted consideration for marriage in certain groups and establishes that a maiden is given only once; abducting her incurs punishment like theft, aligning marriage disputes with penal law."}
Concept: Marriage as a protected social contract; coercive taking is adharma treated under theft-like penal categories.
Application: Community adjudication: recognizing valid marriage transfer norms and prosecuting abduction as a punishable offense.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Social law, inheritance, and penal codes)
Primary Rasa: dharmavira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A lawful marriage negotiation with measured bride-price, contrasted with an abductor being seized and brought before a judge for thief-like punishment.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two-panel narrative: elders exchanging gifts/coins before a marriage fire; second panel shows guards restraining an abductor before a seated judge, strong gestures, traditional costumes, earthy reds and ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ceremonial exchange of gifts with gold accents; separate vignette of courtroom justice with ornate throne and attendants, gold borders emphasizing dharma and daṇḍa","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic legal scene: ledger/coins for bride-price, then a tribunal with scribe and guards, refined linework and calm but firm expressions","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bustling bazaar-like negotiation with coins and textiles; then a detailed court scene with qazi-like judge analog, guards, and the accused, intricate architectural backdrop"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pratīdamādadyāt → pratīdam ādadyāt; cāntyajā → ca antyajā; haraṃstāṃ → haran tām. Several transmitted nominatives appear in -ā; likely scribal for -aḥ (vaiśyaḥ, antyajaḥ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 154 (Vivāha-vidhi); Agni Purana vyavahāra/daṇḍa discussions (where present in rajadharma flow)
FAQs
It gives a legal-standard measure for bride-price (accepted amount) by social category and states a juridical rule: a maiden is given in marriage only once; abduction is treated as theft with corresponding punishment.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical Rajadharma/Vyavahara material—marriage transactions, social regulation, and penal consequences—showing its coverage of governance and civil law alongside ritual and devotion.
It frames marriage as a dharmic, regulated sacrament and condemns coercive seizure as adharma, implying negative karmic consequence and state-imposed punishment for violating social and moral order.