Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 3
Chapter 226 — राजधर्माः
Rājadharma: Royal Duties and Daṇḍanīti
निष्कः सुवर्णाश् चत्वारो धरणं दशभिस्तु तैः ताम्ररूप्यसुवर्णानां मनमेतत् प्रकीर्तितं
niṣkaḥ suvarṇāś catvāro dharaṇaṃ daśabhistu taiḥ tāmrarūpyasuvarṇānāṃ manametat prakīrtitaṃ
ନିଷ୍କ ଚାରି ସୁବର୍ଣ୍ଣର ସମାନ; ଧରଣ ସେହି ସୁବର୍ଣ୍ଣର ଦଶ ଦ୍ୱାରା ଗଣ୍ୟ। ଏହିପରି ତାମ୍ର, ରୂପ୍ୟ ଓ ସୁବର୍ଣ୍ଣର ଓଜନ-ମାନ ଘୋଷିତ।
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Standardizing bullion/coin weights for trade, taxation, valuation of fines, and judicial compensation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Niṣka–Suvarṇa–Dharaṇa weight standard (metrology for metals)","lookup_keywords":["niṣka","suvarṇa","dharaṇa","māna (weight)","tāmra-rūpya-suvarṇa"],"quick_summary":"Defines a conversion chain for precious-metal valuation: niṣka in suvarṇas and dharaṇa in suvarṇas, establishing a common weight standard for copper, silver, and gold transactions."}
Concept: Pramāṇa (authoritative measurement) as the basis of fair exchange and adjudication.
Application: Use fixed conversions to prevent fraud in markets and to compute dues/fines consistently.
Khanda Section: Artha-shastra / Vyavahara (Weights, measures, coinage and valuation)
Primary Rasa: samanya
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal mint/market scene: a clerk weighs gold, silver, and copper on a balance; labeled measures show niṣka, suvarṇa, and dharaṇa conversions; merchants observe while a scribe records values.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet vivid colors, a royal accountant with palm-leaf ledger beside a large balance scale weighing gold and silver, merchants in traditional attire, clear labels for niṣka and suvarṇa, ornamental borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style with gold leaf highlights on coins and ornaments, a seated king overseeing a weighing balance, thick gesso relief on the scale and coin piles, rich reds and greens, temple-like arch framing the scene.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework and soft shading, instructional tableau of weights and measures: balance scale, standardized weights, scribe writing conversions niṣka–suvarṇa–dharaṇa, calm court setting.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed bazaar-cum-court scene with precise rendering of coins, weights, and ledger, fine textiles, a munshi recording conversions, perspective showing multiple metal piles (copper, silver, gold)."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Kalyan","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुवर्णाश् → सुवर्णाः; दशभिस्तु → दशभिः तु; मनमेतत् → मनम् एतत्; ताम्ररूप्यसुवर्णानां treated as dvandva compound.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 226 (Vyavahāra: fines, testimony, procedure); Agni Purana sections on rājadharma and daṇḍanīti
FAQs
It gives a technical standardization of monetary-weight units—defining niṣka in terms of suvarṇa, and dharaṇa in terms of suvarṇa—used for valuing copper, silver, and gold.
Beyond theology, it records practical economic knowledge—weights, valuation, and bullion/coin standards—showing the text’s coverage of governance and measurement science alongside ritual and myth.
By prescribing correct measures, it supports dharma in transactions (truthful dealing and non-deception), which is traditionally regarded as merit-producing and socially purifying.