Oṣadhi-nāma-nirdeśa: Paryāya (Synonyms) of Herbs, Minerals, and Classical Measures
पलं बिल्वञ्च मुष्टिः स्याद्द्वे पले प्रसृतिं वदेत् / अञ्जलिं कुडवञ्चैव विद्यात्पलचतुष्टयम्
palaṃ bilvañca muṣṭiḥ syāddve pale prasṛtiṃ vadet / añjaliṃ kuḍavañcaiva vidyātpalacatuṣṭayam
पलं बिल्वं च मुष्टिः स्यात्, द्वे पले प्रसृतिः स्मृता। अञ्जलिः कुडवश्चैव, पलचतुष्टयं विदुः॥
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Embodied pramāṇa: aligning hand-measures with canonical weights to preserve correctness in offerings and daily conduct.
Vedantic Theme: Discipline in action (karma) through accurate means; external order supports inner sattva.
Application: When measuring grains/powders: treat pala as bilva/muṣṭi; 2 palas = prasṛti; 4 palas = añjali/kuḍava—use consistent vessels/handful standards in rites and charity.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.204.72, 1.204.74-76 (same measurement sequence)
This verse standardizes traditional measures used for ritual offerings, helping ensure that pinda-dāna and related rites are performed with correct quantities.
In śrāddha and pinda-dāna contexts, precise measures determine the proper preparation and offering of food/oblations for the departed; this verse defines those units.
When performing śrāddha or commissioning rites, use these measure-equivalences to align offerings with textual tradition, emphasizing care, accuracy, and reverence in ritual duty.