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
ਨਿਸ਼ਕ ਚਾਰ ਸੁਵਰਣਾਂ ਦੇ ਬਰਾਬਰ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਧਰਣ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਸੁਵਰਣਾਂ ਦੇ ਦਸ ਨਾਲ ਗਿਣਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਤਾਂਬੇ, ਚਾਂਦੀ ਅਤੇ ਸੋਨੇ ਲਈ ਭਾਰ-ਮਾਪ ਦਾ ਮਿਆਰ ਕਿਹਾ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
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.