Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 18
Determination of Boundary Disputes and Related Matters (सीमाविवादादिनिर्णयः)
धनुःशतं परीणाहो ग्रामक्षेत्रान्तरं भवेत् द्वे शते खर्वटस्य स्यान्नगरस्य चतुःशतम्
dhanuḥśataṃ parīṇāho grāmakṣetrāntaraṃ bhavet dve śate kharvaṭasya syānnagarasya catuḥśatam
村とその耕地との間に設ける中間の境界（隔て）は、周囲百ダヌ（dhanu）とすべきである。カールヴァタ（市の立つ小集落）では二百、都市では四百（ダヌ）とする。
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s common narrative frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Provides administrative planning metrics for settlement boundaries: specifies standard circumferences (in dhanus) for village-field interval, market-hamlet, and city—useful for surveying, zoning, and jurisdiction demarcation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Settlement Boundary Measures (Grāma–Kharvaṭa–Nagara)","lookup_keywords":["dhanus measure","parīṇāha circumference","grāma boundary","kharvaṭa","nagara planning"],"quick_summary":"Defines standard circumferential measures for the intervening boundary/limit: 100 dhanus for village-field interval, 200 for kharvaṭa, 400 for city. It supports consistent surveying and civic administration."}
Concept: Right measure (māna) and clear boundaries sustain social harmony and governance.
Application: Apply in cadastral surveys and municipal planning: classify settlement type, set boundary circumference, and reduce disputes over jurisdiction and land use.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Nagaravyavastha (Measures of settlements and administrative geography)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Surveyors measure a circular/encircling boundary with a dhanus (measuring rod/bow-length), marking rings for village, market-hamlet, and city with increasing circumferences.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; stylized surveyors with measuring rods; three concentric boundary rings labeled grāma, kharvaṭa, nagara; earthy palette, clear geometric layout.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting; gold-highlighted concentric city plan; royal officer overseeing surveyors; decorative borders; emphasis on sacred geometry and civic order.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style; technical diagram-like scene with surveyors, measuring rope/rod, boundary posts; neat annotations of 100/200/400 dhanus; calm didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; detailed landscape with survey team, measuring chain, boundary stones; a small town, market-hamlet, and city vignette panels showing scale differences."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: धनुःशतं = धनुः-शतम्; ग्रामक्षेत्रान्तरं = ग्राम-क्षेत्र-अन्तरम्; स्यान्नगरस्य = स्यात् + नगरस्य
Related Themes: Agni Purana 256 (nagaravyavastha: settlement measures and administration)
FAQs
It gives technical standards of measurement (using the dhanu as a unit) for prescribing the perimeter/extent of boundary separation for villages, market-hamlets (kharvaṭa), and cities—practical administrative geography.
Beyond theology, it preserves applied knowledge of governance—settlement classification, land-measurement, and planning norms—showing the Purana’s coverage of civil administration alongside ritual and myth.
By promoting orderly boundaries and well-regulated settlements, it supports dharma in social life—reducing disputes over land and enabling stable, righteous livelihood, which is traditionally viewed as conducive to merit (puṇya).