Sutra 20

Devanagari script

दशधारणिकं पलम् ॥ कZ_०२.१९.२० ॥

Transliteration

daśadhāraṇikaṃ palam

Translation

പത്ത് ധാരണികയുടെ അളവാണ് ‘പല’ (pala).

Word by Word

• दशधारणिकम्: (a) ten-dhāraṇika, i.e., having the measure of ten dhāraṇās
• Type: Adjective (Numeral-based)
• Root: दश + धारणिक
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे एकवचनम् प्रथमा/द्वितीया; विशेषणम् (पलम् इति विशेष्यस्य)

• पलम्: a pala (a unit of weight)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पल
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे एकवचनम् प्रथमा/द्वितीया; परिमाणवाचक-नाम

Entities Mentioned

• pala
• dhāraṇika

More Details

FAQs

Why does Arthashastra specify small-unit conversions like pala–dhāraṇika?

Small-unit conversions are where fraud is easiest; clear conversion rules support inspection, fines, and uniform contracts.