Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 23
Chapter 363: नृब्रह्मक्षत्रविट्शूद्रवर्गाः
Groups of terms for Men, Brahmins, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras
पाणौ च पेटप्रतलप्रहस्ता विस्तृताङ्गुलौ बद्धमुष्टिकरो रत्निररत्निः स कनिष्ठवान्
pāṇau ca peṭapratalaprahastā vistṛtāṅgulau baddhamuṣṭikaro ratniraratniḥ sa kaniṣṭhavān
‘পাণি’ (খোলা তালু)কে ‘পেট’, ‘প্রতল’ ও ‘প্রহস্ত’ও বলা হয়। আঙুল ছড়ালে তা ‘বিস্তৃতাঙ্গুল’; মুঠি বাঁধলে ‘বদ্ধমুষ্টিকর’। ‘রত্নি’কে ‘অরত্নি’ও বলে; এটি কনিষ্ঠা পর্যন্ত বিস্তৃত মাপ।
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s encyclopedic instruction)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Provides standardized anatomical/measure terminology (pāṇi, prahasta, ratni/aratni) used in clinical description, bandaging, and also in craft measurement.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Hand-based measures and synonyms (pāṇi–ratni)","lookup_keywords":["pāṇi","prahasta","vistṛtāṅgula","baddhamuṣṭi","ratni"],"quick_summary":"Lists synonyms for the open palm/hand and names for hand postures (spread fingers vs closed fist), and defines ratni/aratni as a forearm/hand measure ending at the little finger."}
Concept: Saṃjñā (technical naming) enables reliable transmission of embodied knowledge.
Application: Reduces ambiguity between regions/schools by fixing synonyms and measure-terms.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Śārīra (Anatomy & Measurement Terminology)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A physician and a sculptor share a measuring lesson: open palm labeled pāṇi/prahasta, spread-finger hand labeled vistṛtāṅgula, clenched fist labeled baddhamuṣṭi, and a forearm measure labeled ratni/aratni ending at the little finger.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dual-figure scene (vaidya and sthapati) demonstrating hand postures, clear labeled gestures, minimal background with herbal shelf and carving tools","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central hand-gesture panel with gold highlights on measurement marks, side figures of physician and artisan, ornate frame, deep jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, diagrammatic clarity: sequential hand poses and forearm measure, fine outlines, soft colors, Devanagari labels near each term","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, workshop-clinic interior, detailed hands in different poses, ruler-like scale along forearm to little finger, delicate calligraphy captions"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पेटप्रतलप्रहस्ताः = पेट + प्रतल + प्रहस्ताः (द्वन्द्व-सूची). विस्तृताङ्गुलौ = विस्तृत + अङ्गुलौ. बद्धमुष्टिकरः = बद्ध + मुष्टि + करः. रत्निररत्निः = रत्निः + अरत्निः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 363.22 (vitasti/aṅgula measures); Agni Purana śārīra and pramāṇa-related lists in the same khanda
FAQs
It defines technical synonyms and forms of the hand (open palm, spread fingers, closed fist) and specifies the unit ratni/aratni as a standardized hand–forearm measure used in practical calculations.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied technical vocabulary—measurement and anatomical reference terms—useful across śilpa (craft), vāstu (building), medicine, and other sciences that require standardized pramāṇas.
Its value is primarily practical: correct pramāṇa supports accuracy in sacred and technical works, which traditional dharma views as part of disciplined, fault-minimizing conduct (yathāvidhi).