Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 5
Chapter 253 — व्यवहारकथनम्
The Account of Legal Procedure
ऋक्थग्राह ऋणं दाप्यो योषिद्ग्राहस्तथैव च पुत्रो ऽनन्याश्रितद्रव्यः पुत्रहीनस्य ऋक्थिनः
ṛkthagrāha ṛṇaṃ dāpyo yoṣidgrāhastathaiva ca putro 'nanyāśritadravyaḥ putrahīnasya ṛkthinaḥ
Người nhận thừa kế phải bị buộc trả nợ; cũng vậy, người nhận người vợ (trong việc tái giá của góa phụ/nhận giám hộ) cũng phải trả. Còn người con của kẻ không có người thừa tự—nếu tài sản của người con ấy không nương dựa hay phát sinh từ người khác—thì riêng người ấy là kẻ thừa kế chính đáng.
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Rules for inheritance and liability: the heir (and certain successors/guardians) assume responsibility for the deceased’s debts; clarifies who qualifies as heir when a man dies sonless.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Heir’s Liability for Debt and Succession in Sonless Estate","lookup_keywords":["rktha-graha","rina","daya-bhaga","strigraha","aputra"],"quick_summary":"Whoever takes the estate must discharge the associated debts; succession in a sonless case is restricted, with emphasis on an eligible son/claimant not dependent on others’ property."}
Concept: Enjoyment of property is inseparable from responsibility: succession entails assuming the deceased’s financial obligations; rightful heirship is bounded by eligibility and independence of claim.
Application: In adjudication: attach debts to the estate and its taker; in family settlements: ensure heirs accept both assets and liabilities; prevent opportunistic taking of property without debt repayment.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Daya-bhaga / Inheritance and Debt Law)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: artha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A court scene: an heir receives a deed and simultaneously is handed a debt ledger; a widow’s guardian/successor stands nearby, with the judge indicating that debts follow the estate.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, royal court with dharmic judge, heir receiving palm-leaf title document and debt ledger, restrained gestures, traditional lamps and pillars","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-highlighted court canopy, heir holding property deed, scribe with debt register, symbolic conch-like seal of inheritance, rich textiles","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional composition: arrows from 'rktha' (estate) to 'rina' (debt) showing linkage, judge pointing to rule, minimal background clutter","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, finely detailed qazi-like tribunal, accountants, seals, inheritance deed, debt bond, nuanced faces showing acceptance of duty"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yoṣidgrāhastathaiva → yoṣit-grāhaḥ tathā eva; putro 'nanyāśritadravyaḥ → putraḥ ananya-āśrita-dravyaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma/Vyavahara: sections on daya-bhaga, rina-vyavahara, and stridhana (same khanda)
FAQs
It teaches a rule of civil liability: the person who takes an estate (or assumes the widow’s status/guardianship) is responsible for the deceased’s outstanding debts, and it clarifies succession for an heirless man.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical dharmaśāstra-like jurisprudence—inheritance, debt, and succession—showing it functions as a compendium of governance and social law.
By linking inheritance with debt-payment, it frames wealth as a dharmic trust: enjoying property without discharging obligations is adharma, while settling debts upholds social order and merit.