Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 16
Determination of Boundary Disputes and Related Matters (सीमाविवादादिनिर्णयः)
पालदोषविनाशे तु पाले दण्डो विधीयते अर्धत्रयोदशपणः स्वामिनो द्रव्यमेव च
pāladoṣavināśe tu pāle daṇḍo vidhīyate ardhatrayodaśapaṇaḥ svāmino dravyameva ca
Nếu sự mất mát hay hư hại do người giữ gìn sơ suất, thì phải định hình phạt cho người giữ: phạt mười hai rưỡi paṇa, và ngoài ra phải hoàn trả chính tài vật của chủ sở hữu.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha, in the usual Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Fixes liability and quantum of fine in bailment/guardianship cases: when loss occurs due to a keeper’s negligence, the keeper pays a specified monetary penalty and must restore the owner’s goods.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Keeper’s Negligence: Fine and Restitution (Pāla-doṣa)","lookup_keywords":["pāla-doṣa","daṇḍa","paṇa fine","bailment liability","restitution"],"quick_summary":"If loss/damage is caused by the custodian’s negligence, the custodian is fined (12½ paṇas) and must also restore the owner’s property/value. This sets a clear deterrent and a restitution-first rule."}
Concept: Negligence creates culpability; justice requires both punishment and restoration of the harmed party.
Application: Use in adjudicating custody/warehouse/keeper disputes: determine fault, impose fine, and ensure restitution to the owner.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Law, Governance, Judicial Penalties)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A village court scene: a keeper stands before the judge; the owner points to damaged/missing goods; a scribe records the fine in paṇas; restitution of the goods is ordered.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat bold colors, stylized faces; a dharmic court with a seated raja-judge, palm-leaf ledger, keeper accused of negligence, owner presenting a bundle of goods; traditional ornaments and architectural pillars.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights; royal judge on a throne, attendants holding coin-tray of paṇas, the keeper offering restitution goods to the owner; rich textiles, halo-like aureoles, ornate court setting.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework and soft shading; instructional courtroom tableau with labeled objects (goods, coin measure), scribe writing the penalty, calm didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed court interior; qazi-like judge and clerks, the keeper fined, coins counted, goods returned; intricate carpets, realistic gestures, marginal floral motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पालदोषविनाशे = पाल-दोष-विनाशे; अर्धत्रयोदशपणः = अर्ध-त्रयोदश-पणः; द्रव्यमेव = द्रव्यम् + एव
Related Themes: Agni Purana 256 (Rajadharma & Vyavahara: fines, theft, recovery)
FAQs
It gives a rule of vyavahāra (practical law): if loss occurs due to a custodian’s negligence, the custodian is fined (12½ paṇas) and must restore the owner’s property.
Beyond ritual and theology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves daṇḍanīti and civil liability norms—showing it functions as a compendium that includes governance, judicial procedure, and economic penalties.
It reinforces dharma through accountability: negligence that harms another’s property incurs both restitution and punishment, aligning social order with karmic responsibility and ethical conduct.