Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 37
Chapter 365 — क्षत्रविट्शूद्रवर्गाः
The Classes of Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras
ते षोडशाक्षः कर्षो ऽस्त्री पलं कर्षचतुष्टयम् सुवर्णविस्तौ हेम्नो ऽक्षे कुरुविस्तस्तु तत्पले
te ṣoḍaśākṣaḥ karṣo 'strī palaṃ karṣacatuṣṭayam suvarṇavistau hemno 'kṣe kuruvistastu tatpale
Enam belas akṣa menjadi satu karṣa; empat karṣa menjadi satu pala. Dalam sistem bobot emas (suvarṇa-vista), emas dihitung menurut ukuran akṣa; sedangkan ukuran kuru (kuru-vista) dihitung menurut pala.
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Converting between seed-units and standard weights (karṣa, pala) and distinguishing gold-weight conventions for minting, taxation, trade, and pharmacy.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Conversions: akṣa → karṣa → pala; gold-weight conventions (suvarṇa by akṣa, kuru by pala)","lookup_keywords":["akṣa","karṣa","pala","suvarṇa-māna","kuru-vista"],"quick_summary":"Gives the conversion chain (16 akṣa = 1 karṣa; 4 karṣa = 1 pala) and notes differing reckoning bases for gold weights (suvarṇa via akṣa; kuru via pala)."}
Concept: Saṅkhyā/gaṇanā (numerical order) as governance and craft infrastructure.
Application: Use explicit conversion rules to prevent fraud and dosage error.
Khanda Section: Vyavahara–Mana-paribhasha (Weights, Measures, and Monetary Standards)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A mint-and-market scene: a goldsmith weighs akṣa units for suvarṇa and a merchant weighs pala units for kuru-measure, with a conversion tablet showing 16 and 4 multipliers.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two figures—goldsmith and merchant—each with a balance, one side labeled akṣa/suvarṇa, the other pala/kuru, palm-leaf conversion chart, warm ochres and reds.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-leaf emphasis on gold ingots and balance pans, central inscription panel showing 16 akṣa = 1 karṣa, 4 karṣa = 1 pala, regal trade setting.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic layout with neatly drawn weights and labels, soft colors, clear numerals and Sanskrit terms, workshop interior with tools.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bustling bazaar with precise weighing, scribes noting accounts, detailed textiles, small caption cartouches for akṣa/karṣa/pala."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कर्षो 'स्त्री = कर्षः + अस्त्री; हेम्नो 'कṣe = हेम्नः + अक्षे; विस्तस्तु = विस्तः + तु; तत्पले = तत् + पले.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 365 (mana-paribhāṣā continued); Agni Purana vyavahāra passages on coinage/valuation
FAQs
It teaches metrological conversions (akṣa → karṣa; karṣa → pala) and notes differing base-units used in gold-weight systems (suvarṇa/hema vs. kuru), useful for trade, valuation, and precise ritual procurement.
By codifying practical standards of weights and monetary reckoning, it shows the text’s coverage beyond theology—into administration, commerce, legal valuation, and standardized measurement used across disciplines.
Correct measures prevent error and injustice in offerings, gifts (dāna), and transactions; precision supports dharma by ensuring fair exchange and properly measured ritual materials.