Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 24
Chapter 365 — क्षत्रविट्शूद्रवर्गाः
The Classes of Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras
कृष्यादिवृत्तयो ज्ञेयाः कुसीदं वृद्धिजीविका उद्धरो ऽर्थप्रयोगः स्यात्कणिशं सस्यमञ्जरी
kṛṣyādivṛttayo jñeyāḥ kusīdaṃ vṛddhijīvikā uddharo 'rthaprayogaḥ syātkaṇiśaṃ sasyamañjarī
কৃষি প্রভৃতি থেকে শুরু হওয়া জীবিকা-বৃত্তিগুলি জেনে নিতে হবে। ‘কুসীদ’ হলো সুদে জীবিকা (সুদখোরি)। ‘উদ্ধার’ অর্থ-প্রয়োগ—ধন অগ্রিম প্রদান/বিনিয়োগ। আর ‘কণিশ’ হলো শস্যের শীষ/মঞ্জরি।
Lord Agni (instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Economic literacy for governance: classify livelihoods (esp. agriculture), define usury/interest-income, advances/disbursements, and agrarian produce terminology relevant to taxation and accounting.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Economic terms: kṛṣi-vṛtti, kusīda (usury), uddhāra (advance), kaṇiśa (ear of grain)","lookup_keywords":["kṛṣi","kusīda","uddhāra","kaṇiśa","vṛtti"],"quick_summary":"Defines key fiscal and agrarian terms used in revenue administration: occupations, interest-based lending, monetary advance/disbursement, and crop-ear terminology for assessment."}
Concept: Right livelihood and regulated wealth practices (including lending) are part of rāja-dharma and social stability.
Application: Helps rulers/officials draft clear rules for loans, advances, and crop-based revenue measures.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Arthashastra (Livelihoods, taxation, and economic terminology)
Primary Rasa: Samanya
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal accountant records agrarian occupations and loan ledgers; a moneylender’s interest tally (kusīda) and an official disbursing an advance (uddhāra); close-up of grain ears (kaṇiśa).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; palace revenue office with stylized palm-leaf accounts, farmers presenting grain, official handing coins as uddhāra, warm mural colors and clear iconography.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore; seated king/minister with gold-embossed ledger, attendants with grain sheaves, coin bags highlighted in gold, ornate borders and rich textiles.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore; instructional administrative scene with labeled objects (kusīda ledger, uddhāra coins, kaṇiśa grain ear), delicate shading and clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; diwan’s office with clerks, scales, coin-counting, farmers with produce, detailed architecture and realistic accounting tools."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kṛṣyādivṛttayo = कृषि + आदि + वृत्तयः; uddharo 'rthaprayogaḥ = उद्धरः + अर्थप्रयोगः; syātkaṇiśaṃ = स्यात् + कणिशम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana rājadharma/artha sections (taxation, duties of king); Agni Purana kośa entries on vṛtti and varṇa
FAQs
It defines technical economic terms: kinds of livelihoods (kṛṣyādi-vṛtti), usury (kusīda) as earning by interest (vṛddhi-jīvikā), “uddhāra” as monetary disbursement/advance (artha-prayoga), and “kaṇīśa” as the grain ear/panicle.
By cataloging precise vocabulary for occupations, lending, and agrarian produce, it functions like an Arthashastra-style glossary within a Purana—showing the text’s scope beyond theology into governance, finance, and agriculture.
Clear definitions support dharmic governance and fair economic conduct: understanding livelihoods and lending practices helps regulate earning and exchange in line with rajadharma, reducing harm and promoting social order.