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264 : Scientific Contents in Prākrta Canons
and end in 'Bhāra' unit. The total number of weight units are eight. Here also, each following unit is twice the preceding unit upto 'pala'. There is difference of opinion about the value of 'Tula' unit in terms of 'pala' the two values differ roughly by a factor of five as shown in Table 8. Table 8 : Units of Weights in A. D. S. (Pratimāna, Model ). Units
Equivalence Current Value, gm. 1. Ardha Karşa ( Half
5.8 g. Karsa, H. K.) 2. Karşa, K 2 H. K.
11.6 g. 3. Ardha-Pala ( Half- 2K
23.2 g. Pala ), H. P.. 4. Pala, P
2 H. P.
46.4 g. 5. Ardha-Tulā ( Half
Tulā ), H, T. 6. Tulā, T
105 P: 500 P 4872.00 g. 7. Ardha-Bhara ( Half- 10 T
48720.00 g. Bhara ), H. B. 8. Bhara
2 H. B. = 20 T 97,440.00 g.
= 97.44 Kg.
However, Magadhan measure in R. V. has this unit as equal to 100 Palas which is supported by Ayurvedic texts. This should be taken as reasonable in comparison to higher value. Akalanka's volume measures may be equated to weight measures on this basis. Thus, with a Karşa of 11.6 g., one starts with a minimum of 5.8 g. and ends at 97.44 kg ( roughly a quintal of today ). Modern weight unit start with about 580 times lesser weight (mg.) and ends with 10 times larger weight ( 1000 kg. = 1 ton ) on the other side.
The standard weights or Pratimāna are said to be smaller ones to be used for weighting valuables like gold, silver, gems, pearls etc. These weights also start from Guñjā, G (or Ratti ) and end in Suvarna ( gold coin or Sonaiya ). They are
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