Sutra 4

Devanagari script

पलहीनातिरिक्ते द्वादशपणो दण्डः ॥ कZ_०४.२.०४ ॥

Transliteration

palahīnātirikte dvādaśapaṇo daṇḍaḥ

Translation

If the measure is short or excess by one pala, the fine is twelve paṇas.

Word by Word

• पलहीनातिरिक्ते: in the case of being a pala short or in excess (i.e., under/over by one pala)
• Type: Noun (compound used adjectivally)
• Root: पल; हीन; अतिरिक्त
• Form: सप्तमी-एकवचनम् (locative singular), नपुंसकलिङ्गम्; अधिकरणे सप्तमी; अर्थः—(वस्तुनि/द्रव्ये) ‘पल-हीन’ वा ‘अतिरिक्त’ स्थितौ

• द्वादशपणः: (a fine) of twelve paṇas
• Type: Noun (numeral compound)
• Root: द्वादश; पण
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गम्; विशेषणम् (दण्डस्य)

• दण्डः: the penalty/fine
• Type: Noun
• Root: दण्ड
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गम्; कर्तृ/विधेय-नाम (predicate nominative)

Entities Mentioned

• pala
• paṇa
• daṇḍa (fine)

More Details

FAQs

Why specify a numeric fine (12 paṇas) for a numeric deviation (1 pala)?

It creates predictable enforcement and reduces discretion/corruption by tying punishment to measurable violations.