When expressing an instrument-kāraka, optionally after the words stoka 'little', alpa 'little', kṛcchra 'difficulty' and katipaya 'some', the 5th case-affix is used, when they do not denote material objects.,
Ex. स्तोकात् स्तोकेन वा मुक्तः and अल्पान्मुक्तः or अल्पेनमुक्तः &c, 'he got off easily &c. But स्तोकेन विषेन हतः, अल्पेन मधुना मत्तः &c. 'killed by a little poison.' No option allowed, as it qualifies a substance. So also स्तोकं मुञ्चति 'he loosens a little.' Here स्तोक is used as an adverb and not as an instrument (करण).,