Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 2
Chapter 226 — राजधर्माः
Rājadharma: Royal Duties and Daṇḍanīti
कृष्णलानां तथा षष्ट्या कर्षार्धं रामकीर्तितं सुवर्णश् च विनिर्दिष्टो राम षोडशमापकः
kṛṣṇalānāṃ tathā ṣaṣṭyā karṣārdhaṃ rāmakīrtitaṃ suvarṇaś ca vinirdiṣṭo rāma ṣoḍaśamāpakaḥ
ராமர் கூறியதாவது: அறுபது கிருஷ்ணலா சேர்ந்து அரைக் கர்ஷமாகும். ‘சுவர்ணம்’ என்பதும் நிர்ணயிக்கப்பட்டது; அது பதினாறு (அலகுகளின்) அளவாகும்.
Lord Agni (instructing Vasiṣṭha in an encyclopedic register of technical subjects)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Use standardized seed-based weights to compute precious-metal measures (karṣa, suvarṇa) for taxation, trade, fines, and valuation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Kṛṣṇalā-to-Karṣa and Suvarṇa Measure (Sixteen Units)","lookup_keywords":["kṛṣṇalā","karṣa","suvarṇa","māna","weights-measures"],"quick_summary":"Defines conversion: sixty kṛṣṇalā equal half a karṣa; suvarṇa is fixed as a sixteen-unit measure—supporting consistent valuation in governance and commerce."}
Concept: Reliable māna (measurement) is a foundation of fair exchange and just administration.
Application: Maintain calibrated balances and reference weights; publish conversions for courts, markets, and treasury.
Khanda Section: Artha-śāstra / Vyavahāra (Weights, Measures, Coinage and Valuation)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A balance scale with guñjā seeds (kṛṣṇalā) being counted into piles; a half-karṣa weight and a suvarṇa standard are shown beside a ledger for valuation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, close-up didactic still-life: balance scale, red-black guñjā seeds, labeled weights, scribe’s palm-leaf ledger, flat decorative style with strong outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ornate still-life of scales and gold suvarṇa standard with gold-leaf accents, rich background textiles, decorative borders, emphasis on precious-metal measure.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical illustration feel: neatly arranged weights, counted seeds, conversion notation, soft colors and fine lines for clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, merchant-treasury desk scene with meticulous objects: scale, seed piles, small metal weights, ledger with numerals, naturalistic shading and architectural niche."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bilawal","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: suvarṇaś ca → suvarṇaḥ + ca; karṣārdhaṃ → karṣa-ardham; ṣoḍaśamāpakaḥ → ṣoḍaśa-māpakaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 226 (daṇḍa and valuation context)
FAQs
It imparts metrological knowledge: the conversion of kṛṣṇalā units into karṣa fractions and the standard definition of a suvarṇa as a sixteen-unit measure.
By preserving practical standards of weights and monetary valuation used in trade, taxation, gifts, and legal disputes, it shows the Purana’s scope beyond theology into governance and applied economic science.
Accurate measures prevent fraud in commerce, charity, and ritual gifting (dāna); upholding correct standards is treated as dharmic conduct that supports social order and merit.