Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 36
Chapter 365 — क्षत्रविट्शूद्रवर्गाः
The Classes of Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras
पङ्क्तेः शतसहस्रादि क्रमाद्दशगुणोत्तरं मानन्तु लाङ्गुलिप्रस्थैर् गुञ्जाः पञ्चाद्यमाषकः
paṅkteḥ śatasahasrādi kramāddaśaguṇottaraṃ mānantu lāṅguliprasthair guñjāḥ pañcādyamāṣakaḥ
ابتداءً من الوحدة المسماة paṅkti تتزايد مقادير الأوزان على ترتيبٍ عشريٍّ (عشرة أضعاف)، ثم تتتابع على نسقها إلى śata و sahasra وما بعدهما. وفي هذا النظام تُعَدّ خمسُ حبّاتٍ من guñjā، وفق معيار lāṅguli-prastha، هي māṣaka الأولى.
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Standardizing drug-weights and compounding doses (māṣaka etc.) using seed-based units for pharmacy, trade, and legal verification.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Seed-based weight scale: guñjā → māṣaka (tenfold progression from paṅkti)","lookup_keywords":["paṅkti-māna","guñjā","māṣaka","lāṅguli-prastha","daśaguṇa-krama"],"quick_summary":"Defines a seed-based weight ladder with tenfold increments and states that 5 guñjā (by the lāṅguli-prastha standard) form the initial māṣaka, enabling consistent dosing and valuation."}
Concept: Pramāṇa (measurement) as a basis for reliable practice and social trust.
Application: Adopt shared standards to prevent error in medicine, commerce, and adjudication.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Mana-paribhasha (Weights and Measures)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traditional apothecary scene: a vaidya and assistant weighing tiny guñjā seeds on a balance, marking māṣaka units on a palm-leaf chart showing tenfold progressions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat earthy palette, a vaidya in white dhoti weighing red guñjā seeds on a bronze tulā, palm-leaf manuscript with māna table, clean outlines, minimal background architecture.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate frame, gold-leaf highlights on balance scale and seed bowl, central seated vaidya demonstrating guñjā-to-māṣaka conversion, rich reds and greens, decorative floral motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate shading, instructional tableau with labeled weights (paṅkti, śata, sahasra), close-up of guñjā seeds and measuring standard, calm scholarly setting.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine detail of a workshop with scales, seed measures, scribes recording numbers, patterned carpets, precise depiction of small red seeds and brass instruments."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: क्रमाद्दशगुणोत्तरम् = क्रमात् + दशगुणोत्तरम्; लाङ्गुलिप्रस्थैर् = लाङ्गुलि-प्रस्थैः (visarga/sandhi); पञ्चाद्यमाषकः interpreted as पञ्च + आद्य + माषकः (elliptic: ‘five guñjās—(this is) the first māṣaka’).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 365 (Mana-paribhāṣā sequence); Agni Purana sections on Ayurveda-bhaiṣajya-kalpanā (drug preparation); Agni Purana sections on Vyavahāra/coinage standards
FAQs
It teaches traditional metrology: how weight-units progress (tenfold) and defines a base conversion—five guñjā seeds equaling an initial māṣaka—used for precise calculation in technical disciplines like Ayurveda.
By preserving practical standards of measurement (māna) alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana functions as a reference manual for applied knowledge needed in medicine, trade, and formulation accuracy.
While primarily technical, correct measure supports dharma in practice—ensuring truthful dealings and accurate ritual/medical preparation, which are treated as ethically meritorious and non-harmful conduct.