Agni Purana — Chapter 253
AgP 253.1
:ए इत्य् आग्नेये महापुराणे व्यवहारो नाम द्विपञ्चाशदधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः ॥ छप्तेर् {२५३} :श् अथ त्रिपञ्चाशदधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः व्यवहारकथनं अग्निर् उवाच गृहीतार्थः क्रमाद्दाप्यो धनिनामधमर्णिकः दत्वा तु ब्राह्मणायादौ नृपतेस्तदनन्तरम्
:e ity āgneye mahāpurāṇe vyavahāro nāma dvipañcāśadadhikadviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ || chapter {253} :ś atha tripañcāśadadhikadviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ vyavahārakathanaṃ agnir uvāca gṛhītārthaḥ kramāddāpyo dhanināmadhamarṇikaḥ datvā tu brāhmaṇāyādau nṛpatestadanantaram
Thus ends the two hundred fifty-second chapter, called Legal Procedure, in the Agni Mahāpurāṇa. [Chapter 253] Now the two hundred fifty-third chapter: the exposition of legal procedure. Agni said: A debtor who has received money is to be made to pay the creditors in order, having first paid a brahmin, and immediately after that the king.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
AgP 253.2
:प् ४१३ राज्ञाधमर्णिको दाप्यः साधिताद्दशकं स्मृतम् पञ्चकन्तु शतं दाप्यः प्राप्तार्थो ह्य् उत्तमर्णकः
:p 413 rājñādhamarṇiko dāpyaḥ sādhitāddaśakaṃ smṛtam pañcakantu śataṃ dāpyaḥ prāptārtho hy uttamarṇakaḥ
[page 413] By the king the debtor is to be made to pay ten (per cent) of the sum recovered — so it is declared; and the creditor who has obtained his money is to be made to pay five per hundred.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
AgP 253.3
हीनजातिं परिक्षीणमृणार्थं कर्म कारयेत् ब्राह्मणस्तु परिक्षीणः शनैर् दाप्यो यथोदयम्
hīnajātiṃ parikṣīṇamṛṇārthaṃ karma kārayet brāhmaṇastu parikṣīṇaḥ śanair dāpyo yathodayam
A man of low caste who is destitute he should make work for the sake of the debt; but a brahmin who is destitute is to be made to pay gradually, according to his income.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
AgP 253.4
दीयमानं न गृह्णाति प्रयुक्तं यः स्वकन्धनम् मध्यस्थस्थापितं तत्स्याद्वर्धते न ततः परं
dīyamānaṃ na gṛhṇāti prayuktaṃ yaḥ svakandhanam madhyasthasthāpitaṃ tatsyādvardhate na tataḥ paraṃ
If one who has lent out his own money does not accept it when it is being offered, it shall be deposited with a mediator, and it does not increase beyond that (point).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
AgP 253.5
ऋक्थग्राह ऋणं दाप्यो योषिद्ग्राहस्तथैव च पुत्रो ऽनन्याश्रितद्रव्यः पुत्रहीनस्य ऋक्थिनः
ṛkthagrāha ṛṇaṃ dāpyo yoṣidgrāhastathaiva ca putro 'nanyāśritadravyaḥ putrahīnasya ṛkthinaḥ
He who takes the estate must pay the debt, and likewise he who takes the (deceased's) wife; also the son, when no property has come to anyone else, in the case of an estate-holder who has no son.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
AgP 253.6
अविभुक्तैः कुटुम्बार्थं यदृणन्तु कृतम्भवेत् दद्युस्तदृक्थिनः प्रेते प्रोषिते वा कुटुम्बिनि
avibhuktaiḥ kuṭumbārthaṃ yadṛṇantu kṛtambhavet dadyustadṛkthinaḥ prete proṣite vā kuṭumbini
Whatever debt has been incurred by undivided (family members) for the sake of the household, the holders of the estate must pay it when the householder has died or gone abroad.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
AgP 253.7
न योषित् पतिपुत्राभ्यां न पुत्रेण कृतं पिता दद्यादृते कुटुम्बार्थान्न पतिः स्त्रीकृतं तथा
na yoṣit patiputrābhyāṃ na putreṇa kṛtaṃ pitā dadyādṛte kuṭumbārthānna patiḥ strīkṛtaṃ tathā
A wife is not to pay (a debt) made by her husband or son, nor is a father to pay one made by his son, nor a husband one made by his wife — except when it was for the sake of the household.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
AgP 253.8
गोपशौण्डिकशैनूषरजकव्याधयोषितां ऋणं दद्यात्पतिस्त्वासां यस्माद्वृत्तिस्तदाश्रया
gopaśauṇḍikaśainūṣarajakavyādhayoṣitāṃ ṛṇaṃ dadyātpatistvāsāṃ yasmādvṛttistadāśrayā
But the husband must pay the debt of the wives of cowherds, distillers, actors(?), washermen, and hunters, since in their case the livelihood depends on them (the wives).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
AgP 253.9
प्रतिपन्नं स्त्रिया देयं पत्या वा सह यत् कृतं स्वयं कृतं वा यदृणं नान्यस्त्री दातुमर्हति
pratipannaṃ striyā deyaṃ patyā vā saha yat kṛtaṃ svayaṃ kṛtaṃ vā yadṛṇaṃ nānyastrī dātumarhati
A debt undertaken by a wife must be paid (by the husband), or one made together with the husband; but a debt that some other woman has made herself, (the husband) is not obliged to pay.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
AgP 253.10
पितरि प्रोषिते प्रेते व्यसाभिप्लुते ऽथ वा(१) पुत्रपौत्रैर् ऋणन्देयं निह्नवे साक्षिभावितम्
pitari proṣite prete vyasābhiplute 'tha vā(1) putrapautrair ṛṇandeyaṃ nihnave sākṣibhāvitam
When the father has gone abroad, has died, or is overwhelmed by calamity, the debt is to be paid by sons and grandsons; if it is denied, (it must first be) proved by witnesses.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
AgP 253.11
सुराकामद्यूतकृतन्दण्डशुल्कावशिष्टकम् वृथा दानं तथैवेह पुत्रो दद्यान्न पैतृकम्
surākāmadyūtakṛtandaṇḍaśulkāvaśiṣṭakam vṛthā dānaṃ tathaiveha putro dadyānna paitṛkam
A debt incurred for liquor, lust, or gambling, an unpaid remainder of a fine or toll, and a gift made to no purpose — such a paternal debt the son need not pay here.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
AgP 253.12
भ्रातॄणामथ दम्पत्योः पितुः पुत्रस्य चैव हि :न् १ व्यसनाभिप्लुतेपि वेति ख॥ , घ॥ , ञ॥ च :प् ४१४ प्रतिभाव्यमृणं ग्राह्यमविभक्तेन च स्मृतम्(१)
bhrātṝṇāmatha dampatyoḥ pituḥ putrasya caiva hi :n 1 vyasanābhiplutepi veti kha.. , gha.. , ña.. ca :p 414 pratibhāvyamṛṇaṃ grāhyamavibhaktena ca smṛtam(1)
And (likewise) between brothers, between husband and wife, and between father and son — [note 1: 'vyasanābhiplute 'pi vā' in mss. kha, gha, ña; page 414] a debt is to be taken as surety even by an undivided member, so it is declared.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
AgP 253.13
दर्शने प्रत्यये दाने प्रतिभाव्यं विधीयते आधौ तु वितथे दाप्या वितथस्य सुता अपि
darśane pratyaye dāne pratibhāvyaṃ vidhīyate ādhau tu vitathe dāpyā vitathasya sutā api
Suretyship is laid down for (guaranteeing) appearance, for trustworthiness, and for payment; but where the pledge is false, even the sons of the false (surety) must pay.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
AgP 253.14
दर्शनप्रतिभूर्यत्र मृतः प्रात्ययिको ऽपि वा न तत्पुत्रा धनं दद्युर्दद्युर्दानाय ये स्थिताः
darśanapratibhūryatra mṛtaḥ prātyayiko 'pi vā na tatputrā dhanaṃ dadyurdadyurdānāya ye sthitāḥ
Where a surety for (the debtor's) appearance, or one who guaranteed his trustworthiness, has died, his sons need not pay the money; but those who stood surety for payment must pay.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
AgP 253.15
बहवः स्युर्यदि स्वांशैर् दद्युः प्रतिभुवो धनम् एकच्छायाश्रितेष्वेषु धनिकस्य यथा रुचि
bahavaḥ syuryadi svāṃśair dadyuḥ pratibhuvo dhanam ekacchāyāśriteṣveṣu dhanikasya yathā ruci
If the sureties are many, they should pay the money each by his own share; but where they stand under a single (joint) undertaking, it is as the creditor pleases.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
AgP 253.16
प्रतिभूर्दापितो यत्र प्रकाशं धनिने धनम् द्विगुणं प्रतिदातव्यमृणिकैस्तस्य तद्भवेत्
pratibhūrdāpito yatra prakāśaṃ dhanine dhanam dviguṇaṃ pratidātavyamṛṇikaistasya tadbhavet
Where a surety has been made to pay the money openly to the creditor, that must be repaid to him twofold by the debtors.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
AgP 253.17
स्वसन्ततिस्त्रीपशव्यं धान्यं द्विगुणमेव च वस्त्रं चतुर्गुणं प्रोक्तं रसश्चाष्टगुणस् तथा
svasantatistrīpaśavyaṃ dhānyaṃ dviguṇameva ca vastraṃ caturguṇaṃ proktaṃ rasaścāṣṭaguṇas tathā
In the case of what breeds of itself — female slaves and cattle — and of grain, (the increase is) only twofold; of cloth it is declared fourfold, and of liquids eightfold.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
AgP 253.18
आधिः प्रणश्येत् द्विगुणे धने यदि न मोक्ष्यते काले कालकृतं नश्येत् फलभोग्यो न नश्यति
ādhiḥ praṇaśyet dviguṇe dhane yadi na mokṣyate kāle kālakṛtaṃ naśyet phalabhogyo na naśyati
The pledge is forfeited when the debt has become double, if it is not redeemed; a pledge made for a fixed term perishes at (the end of) the term, but one to be enjoyed for its produce does not perish.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
AgP 253.19
गोप्याधिभोग्यो नावृद्धिः सोपकारे ऽथ भाविते नष्टो देयो विनष्टश् च दैवराजकृतादृते
gopyādhibhogyo nāvṛddhiḥ sopakāre 'tha bhāvite naṣṭo deyo vinaṣṭaś ca daivarājakṛtādṛte
A pledge to be merely kept, or one to be enjoyed, bears no interest; and when (the pledgee) has been maintained by its use, if it is lost or destroyed it must be made good — except when (the loss) is caused by fate or by the king.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
AgP 253.20
आधेः स्वीकरणात्सिद्धौरक्षमाणोप्यसारताम् यातश्चेदन्य आधेयो धनभाग् वा धनी भवेत्
ādheḥ svīkaraṇātsiddhaurakṣamāṇopyasāratām yātaścedanya ādheyo dhanabhāg vā dhanī bhavet
By the taking over of the pledge the transaction is complete; but if, though guarded, it has become worthless, either another pledge (must be given) or the creditor becomes entitled to the money.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
AgP 253.21
चरित्रं बन्धककृतं सवृद्धं दापयेद्वनं सत्यङ्कारकृतं द्रव्यं द्विगुणं प्रतिदापयेत्
caritraṃ bandhakakṛtaṃ savṛddhaṃ dāpayedvanaṃ satyaṅkārakṛtaṃ dravyaṃ dviguṇaṃ pratidāpayet
A mortgage made by (established) usage he should cause to be paid with the interest; goods given as earnest-money he should cause to be repaid twofold.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
AgP 253.22
उपस्थितस्य मोक्तव्य आधिर्दण्डो ऽन्यथा भवेत् प्रयोजके सति धनं कुलेन्यस्याधिमाप्नुयात्
upasthitasya moktavya ādhirdaṇḍo 'nyathā bhavet prayojake sati dhanaṃ kulenyasyādhimāpnuyāt
The pledge must be released for one who presents himself (with the money); otherwise there is a fine. If the lender is at hand, (the debtor) may recover his pledge by depositing the money with the (village) assembly.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
AgP 253.23
तत्कालकृतमूल्यो वा तत्र तिष्ठेदवृद्धिकः :न् १ प्रतिभाव्यमृणं साक्ष्यमविभक्तेन तत् स्मृतमिति ख॥ , ग॥ , घ॥ , छ॥ , ज॥ , ट॥ च :प् ४१५ विना धारणकाद्वापि विक्रीणीते ससाक्षिकम्
tatkālakṛtamūlyo vā tatra tiṣṭhedavṛddhikaḥ :n 1 pratibhāvyamṛṇaṃ sākṣyamavibhaktena tat smṛtamiti kha.. , ga.. , gha.. , cha.. , ja.. , ṭa.. ca :p 415 vinā dhāraṇakādvāpi vikrīṇīte sasākṣikam
Or (the pledge) may remain there without interest at the value fixed at that time. ... Or even without the debtor (present) he may sell it in the presence of witnesses.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
AgP 253.24
यदा तु द्विगुणीभूतमृणमाधौ तदा खलु मोच्यश्चाधिस्तदुत्पाद्य प्रविष्टे द्विगुणे धने
yadā tu dviguṇībhūtamṛṇamādhau tadā khalu mocyaścādhistadutpādya praviṣṭe dviguṇe dhane
But when the debt secured by the pledge has become doubled, then indeed the pledge must be released, once, having yielded that (produce), the money has come in twofold.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
AgP 253.25
व्यसनस्थमनाख्याय हस्ते ऽन्यस्य यदर्पयेत् द्रव्यं तदौपनिधिकं प्रतिदेयं तथैव तत्
vyasanasthamanākhyāya haste 'nyasya yadarpayet dravyaṃ tadaupanidhikaṃ pratideyaṃ tathaiva tat
What a man in distress hands over into another's hand without declaring (what it is) — that property is a sealed deposit, and it must be returned just as it was.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
AgP 253.26
न दाप्यो ऽपहृतं तत्तु राजदैवकतस्करैः प्रेषश्चेन्मार्गिते दत्ते दाप्यो दण्डश् च तत्समम्
na dāpyo 'pahṛtaṃ tattu rājadaivakataskaraiḥ preṣaścenmārgite datte dāpyo daṇḍaś ca tatsamam
He is not to be made to pay what was carried off by the king, by fate, or by thieves; but if, when it was demanded, it was handed over to a messenger(?), he must pay it, and a fine equal to it.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
AgP 253.27
आजीवन् स्वेच्छया दण्ड्यो दाप्यस्तच्चापि सोदयं याचितावाहितन्यासे निक्षेपेष्वप्ययं विधिः
ājīvan svecchayā daṇḍyo dāpyastaccāpi sodayaṃ yācitāvāhitanyāse nikṣepeṣvapyayaṃ vidhiḥ
If he lives off it at his own pleasure he is to be fined and made to pay it, and that with the increase as well; this same rule applies to things borrowed, things given for carriage, sealed deposits, and (other) deposits.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition