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
吠舍之女当以此为适当的聘财而受；安底阇之女亦然，当受十（单位）。处女只可出嫁一次；凡掳走她者，当受如盗贼之刑罚。
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.