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First Study: The Story of Anand ]
He then made a limitation regarding the amount of possessions, in terms of gold coins, as follows:
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In addition to four crore gold coins kept in treasure, four crore gold coins used in business, and four crore gold coins used in the house and household equipment, I renounce all remaining gold coins.
18. Then he made a limitation regarding the amount of possessions, in terms of four-legged animals, as follows:
In addition to four herds of ten thousand cows each, I renounce all remaining four-legged animals.
19. Then he made a limitation regarding the amount of possessions, in terms of land and buildings, as follows:
In addition to five hundred ploughs, each consisting of one hundred nivartanas (a specific measure of land), I renounce all remaining land and buildings. Discussion
The word "khet" (field) refers to land used for farming, i.e., open land. The Prakrit word "vatthu" can be translated as "vastu" in Sanskrit, meaning "thing" or "building." "Vastu" refers to land, a place to live, a house, or a dwelling. Here, "vatthu" refers to Anand's land related to his house, etc.
In the context of the amount of land Anand owned for farming, the term "niyattan-saiyenam" (nivartanashatikena) is used, where one hundred nivartanas are considered one plough of land, which can be called a "bigha" in modern language.
In ancient times, "nivartana" was used as a specific measure of land. A land measuring twenty bamboos or two hundred hands in length and width (200 × 200 = 4000 square hands) was called a "nivartana."
20. Then he made a limitation regarding the amount of possessions, in terms of carts, as follows:
In addition to five hundred carts used for transportation and five hundred carts used for carrying goods, I renounce all remaining carts.
1. Sanskrit - English Dictionary: Sir Monier Williams, page 560