In the ancient wisdom of the Agni Purāṇa, the laws governing justice and conduct are laid out with precision and compassion. If a person causes pain to another using wood or similar objects, but does not draw blood, he must pay a fine of thirty-two paṇas; however, if blood is drawn, the penalty is doubled. When someone breaks or cuts another’s hand, foot, ear, or nose, or causes a wound that appears life-threatening, the prescribed punishment is the middle degree of fine. Similarly, obstructing another’s movement, food, or fire, injuring the eye or similar organs, or breaking the neck, arm, or thigh also incurs the middle fine. If one individual injures several people, the fines are doubled. Should property be taken amidst a quarrel, it must be returned, and the fine is again doubled. Whoever causes pain must bear the expenses arising from the injury, and the party found guilty in the quarrel must pay the fine. Anyone who unlawfully collects land tax is fined ten paṇas, and this applies equally to Brahmins and neighbors if done without proper invitation. For assault, breaking, cutting, or demolishing a wall, the fine is twenty-five paṇas, and repeated offenses are treated the same. Throwing harmful or deadly substances into another’s house is met with a fine starting at sixteen paṇas, increasing gradually by two paṇas each time. When pain is inflicted, blood is drawn, or limbs or branches are cut from minor animals, the penalty begins with their market value and is imposed in order. For cutting off genitals or causing death, the middle fine or the actual value applies; but for major animals, these penalties are doubled. If someone commits assault, the penalty is doubled, but if he declares beforehand, “I will pay,” he must pay four times the penalty. Excessive abuse of a noble, striking a brother’s wife, withholding what is ordered to be given, or breaking into a house by the sea are all offenses. Harming local chiefs, artisans, and similar persons carries a fixed penalty of fifty paṇas. Likewise, a man who approaches a widow at her own will, or fails to come when loudly called, is fined fifty paṇas. Should a Śūdra eat food meant for ascetics, or partake in sacrifices to gods or ancestors, swear a false oath, or perform an act unfit for him, penalties are imposed. Rendering bulls or minor animals impotent, denying common property, or destroying a maidservant’s pregnancy are also punishable. If a father, son, sister, brother, husband and wife, teacher and student abandon each other without cause, the fine is one hundred paṇas. Wearing another’s garment incurs a fine of three paṇas; failing to return borrowed clothing, or offenses involving sale, purchase, deposit, or loan, are fined ten paṇas. Tampering with weights, measures, or coins, or conducting business with such, results in the highest penalty. Claiming genuine items as counterfeit or vice versa, or falsely testing coins, attracts the first-level fine for assault. A physician who acts wrongly must pay the lowest fine for animals, the middle fine for humans, and the highest for royal persons. Binding one who should not be bound, releasing one who is bound, or engaging in unauthorized litigation incurs the highest penalty. Taking away an eighth part by weight or measure is fined twenty-two paṇas, with adjustments made for greater or lesser amounts. Adulterating medicines, oils, salt, perfumes, grains, or other goods results in a fine of sixteen paṇas. If artisans or craftsmen collude to fix prices or restrict trade, causing loss or gain in value, the penalty is a thousand paṇas. The king sets the daily price for goods; merchants may not make profit beyond this rate, as such gain is unlawful. A merchant may take five out of a hundred for goods from his own country, and ten for foreign goods, when buying and selling immediately. The cost arising from the goods should be added to the price, and both buyer and seller should make a reasonable profit. If payment has been received but goods are not delivered, the seller must pay with interest, or, if the buyer is from another region, cover the loss due to distance. Even after goods are sold, they may be resold if the previous buyer has not taken possession; but if loss occurs due to the buyer’s fault, the loss is his alone. If goods are damaged by royal authority or fate, the loss falls upon the seller, unless the goods were specifically ordered and not delivered. If something sold is found defective or treated as such, the seller must pay a penalty twice the value of the item. A buyer who purchases goods from merchants without knowing their depreciation or appreciation is not to be blamed; but if he acts knowingly, he is liable to a fine of one-sixth. When merchants act together for profit, gain and loss should be divided according to capital invested or as agreed upon. If entrusted goods are lost due to negligence, the responsible person must pay for them; if lost by calamity, he is liable for one-tenth. From declared profit, the king takes a twentieth part as tax; prohibited goods or those suitable for the king, when sold, go to the king. Giving false measurements, evading the place of tax, or buying and selling with deceit incurs a penalty of eight times the value. If someone dies in a foreign land, his property should be taken by heirs or relatives present; if none are present, the king shall take it. Crookedness should be abandoned without greed; if one cannot, another should do it. This rule applies to priests, farmers, and workers. A thief is apprehended by buyers, with a shovel or by his footprints, or if he is a repeat offender or wears unclean clothes. Thus, the Agni Purāṇa presents a tapestry of justice and fairness, guiding society with clarity, compassion, and wisdom.