Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 45
वाक्पारुष्यादिप्रकरणम्
The Topic of Verbal Abuse and Related Offences
विक्रीतमपि विक्रेयं पूर्वे क्रेतर्यगृह्णति हानिश्चेत् क्रेतृदोषेण क्रेतुरेव हि सा भवेत्
vikrītamapi vikreyaṃ pūrve kretaryagṛhṇati hāniścet kretṛdoṣeṇa kretureva hi sā bhavet
即便交易既成，若先前之买者不肯受取，该物亦当回售于卖者（即退还卖方）；若因买者自身过失而生损失，则其损失唯归买者承担。
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, presenting vyavahāra rules)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Allocation of risk in sales: if the buyer refuses acceptance, the item returns to seller; losses caused by buyer’s fault are borne by the buyer.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Risk and Loss in Sale: Buyer’s Refusal and Buyer’s Fault","lookup_keywords":["acceptance","return to seller","buyer fault","loss allocation","sale law"],"quick_summary":"If the buyer does not accept the purchased item, it reverts to the seller; but any loss arising from the buyer’s own negligence or misuse is the buyer’s liability."}
Concept: Karma-phala in vyavahāra: fault (doṣa) attaches consequences to the doer; refusal to accept does not transfer blame for buyer-caused damage.
Application: Define acceptance criteria and inspection window; document condition at handover to distinguish seller defect from buyer negligence.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Dharmaśāstra / Civil Law: sale, defects, liability)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A buyer declines to accept a purchased item; the merchant takes it back. In a second vignette, the buyer mishandles the item causing damage, and the judge assigns loss to the buyer.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural split-scene: left—buyer refusing goods, seller receiving back; right—damaged goods with buyer’s negligent act implied; restrained expressions, strong contour lines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore narrative panel: merchant receiving returned goods, gold accents on scales and coins; a small inset shows damaged item and a judge pointing to buyer as liable.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional painting: sequential steps—inspection, acceptance/refusal, liability on buyer’s fault—labels on scrolls, clear gestures, soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature with two registers: refusal at shopfront; negligence causing breakage; court clerk recording liability; intricate objects and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विक्रीतमपि = विक्रीतम् + अपि; क्रेतर्यगृह्णति = क्रेतरि + अगृह्णति; हानिश्चेत् = हानिः + चेत्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 257 (defects, return, liability)
FAQs
It imparts vyavahāra-vidyā (practical civil law): when a buyer refuses acceptance, the transaction is reversed/returned, and any damage caused by the buyer’s negligence is borne by the buyer.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves detailed governance and legal procedure—here, commercial law on acceptance, rescission/return, and allocation of loss—showing its coverage of real-world administration.
It reinforces dharma in trade: honesty, responsibility, and fair allocation of fault. Upholding such justice is treated as righteous conduct that supports social order and reduces karmic harm arising from deceit or negligence.