Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 19
Divya-pramāṇa-kathana
Explanation of Divine Proofs / Ordeals and Evidentiary Procedure
साक्षिणश् च स्वहस्तेन पितृनामकपूर्वकम् अत्राहममुकः साक्षी लिखेयुरिति ते समाः
sākṣiṇaś ca svahastena pitṛnāmakapūrvakam atrāhamamukaḥ sākṣī likheyuriti te samāḥ
又诸证人亦应亲笔书写，并先书父名，于文中写道：“此处我某某为证人”；诸般证词当如是作成。
Lord Agni (instructing Vashistha on rajadharma/vyavahara topics)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Strengthening evidentiary value of documents by requiring witnesses to attest in their own handwriting with patronymic identification.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Sākṣi-svahasta-lekhana (Witness attestation in handwriting)","lookup_keywords":["sakshi","svahasta","pitrinama","attestation","lekhya-pramana"],"quick_summary":"Witnesses should personally write an attestation line, including their father’s name, to authenticate the instrument and establish reliable testimony."}
Concept: Sākṣya (witnessing) as dharmic responsibility; identity clarity via patronymic reduces false testimony.
Application: Collect witness attestations with clear identity markers; prefer firsthand written attestations over hearsay.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Legal Procedure, Documentation, Witnesses)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Multiple witnesses step forward one by one to write: 'Here I, so-and-so, son of so-and-so, am witness' on the document, while the scribe supervises and parties observe.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, procession-like arrangement of witnesses writing attestations, stylized faces, rhythmic composition, document central, court setting with lamps and pillars","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, witnesses with distinct attire, each writing an attestation line, gold-highlighted document margins, ceremonial feel of legal validation","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional depiction of witness attestation block with multiple lines, each beginning with patronymic, calm administrative ambiance","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, finely detailed group of witnesses seated on carpet, passing the document, each adding a line with reed pen, attentive clerk nearby"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"formal","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: atrāhamamukaḥ = atra aham amukaḥ (अ + अ → आ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 254 (witness rules within vyavahara)
FAQs
It gives a technical rule of legal documentation: witnesses must personally write an attestation in their own hand, identifying themselves with their father’s name and stating that they are the witness.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical governance and jurisprudence—here, documentary evidence (lekhya-pramāṇa) and witness attestation—showing its coverage of administrative and legal systems.
Truthful, properly attested testimony supports dharma and social order; adhering to correct witness procedure is treated as a dharmic act that reduces dispute, fraud, and resulting negative karma.