Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 20
वाक्पारुष्यादिप्रकरणम्
The Topic of Verbal Abuse and Related Offences
तरिकः स्थलजं शुल्कं गृह्नन् दण्ड्यः पणान्दश ब्राह्मणप्रातिवेश्यानामेतदेवानिमन्त्रणे
tarikaḥ sthalajaṃ śulkaṃ gṛhnan daṇḍyaḥ paṇāndaśa brāhmaṇaprātiveśyānāmetadevānimantraṇe
若渡夫（或收税者）擅取陆路之税，则当罚十波那。对于婆罗门及prātiveśya（受护之特许居者/宾客），在未依法邀请或召请之情形下，亦同此例。
Lord Agni (narrating normative dharma/administrative rules)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Regulating tolls and preventing illegal exactions by ferrymen/collectors; ensuring protected classes (Brāhmaṇa, prātiveśya) are not improperly charged or procedurally wronged.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Penalty for illegal land-toll by ferryman; rule for Brāhmaṇa and prātiveśya in non-invitation cases","lookup_keywords":["tarika","shulka","sthala-shulka","dasha-pana","prativeśya"],"quick_summary":"A ferryman/toll-collector who wrongfully levies a land-toll is fined ten paṇas; the same standard applies in specified procedural lapses involving Brāhmaṇas and protected residents/guests (prātiveśyas)."}
Concept: State oversight of revenue collection; protection of vulnerable/privileged categories and prevention of adharmic exactions.
Application: Audit toll practices; define lawful toll categories (water-crossing vs land-toll) and penalize misclassification/overreach.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Vyavahara (Law, taxation, civic penalties)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Type: River
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At a river ferry, a ferryman demands an improper land-toll; an official intervenes and records a ten-paṇa fine; a Brāhmaṇa traveler and a protected resident/guest are shown as safeguarded parties.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, riverside ferry with boat, ferryman holding coins, royal officer with staff stopping him, Brāhmaṇa with staff and waterpot, decorative river motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gilded ferry scene with stylized river, coin exchange halted, officer pointing to a fine tablet '10 paṇa', rich gold ornamentation on figures.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional depiction of lawful vs unlawful toll: two labeled toll baskets (water-fee vs land-fee), ferryman fined, protected traveler highlighted.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bustling ghat with boatmen, travelers, and a revenue clerk; subtle narrative of illegal levy and official penalty, fine architectural details."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"didactic","suggested_raga":"Bilahari","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पणान्दश = पणान् + दश; ब्राह्मणप्रातिवेश्यानाम् = ब्राह्मण-प्रातिवेश्यानाम् (द्वन्द्व); एतदेव = एतत् + एव.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 257 (civic fines and administrative penalties)
FAQs
It gives a technical rule of governance: a ferryman/toll-collector must not collect a land-based toll; if he does, a fixed fine of ten paṇas is imposed, with special consideration for protected classes such as Brāhmaṇas and prātiveśyas.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical statecraft—tax categories (śulka), regulated collection, and standardized fines—showing it functions as a compendium of dharma, administration, and civil law.
It frames unjust extraction as adharma: wrongfully taking tolls incurs both worldly punishment (fine) and negative karma, while protecting Brāhmaṇas and safeguarded residents supports social order and dharmic governance.