Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 29
स्तंभकस्य प्रमाणं च सप्तहस्तं प्रकीर्तितम् । द्वौ हस्तौ निखनेत्काष्ठं दृश्यं स्याद्धस्तपंचकम्
staṃbhakasya pramāṇaṃ ca saptahastaṃ prakīrtitam | dvau hastau nikhanetkāṣṭhaṃ dṛśyaṃ syāddhastapaṃcakam
The measure of the pillar is declared to be seven hands. Two hands’ length of the wood should be sunk into the ground, so that five hands’ length remains visible.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) (deduced)
Scene: Carpenters/priests measure a wooden pillar with a hasta-marked cord; they dig a pit of two hasta depth; the remaining five hasta are marked with pigment; tools (spade, mallet) lie nearby.
FAQs
Dharma values precision and transparency—proper measures ensure fairness in procedures meant to reveal truth.
None; the verse is technical, describing construction measurements.
A seven-hasta post is prescribed, with two hastas buried and five hastas remaining above ground.