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[148]
[Nishi Sutra]
In the commentaries, a measurement of 32 angulas is mentioned, which is considered appropriate for the circumference of the fruit. A group of fruits with a circumference of 32 angulas requires a minimum of 16 angulas wide land for sweeping. The length of a foot is usually between 12 and 15 angulas. This allows for the proper performance of the act of sweeping. Therefore, the measurement of the broom should be understood in relation to its circumference. The measurement of 32 angulas should not be understood in relation to the length of the broom stick.
A 9-year-old monk may have a height of 2.5 feet, and a 20-year-old monk may have a height of 6 feet. The rule of 32 angulas for the length of the stick is not suitable for everyone. The circumference of 32 angulas should not be considered absolute, but rather as an upper limit.
From the sutra text, it is sufficient to understand that the broom should have a circumference or length that allows for the proper performance of the act of sweeping, according to the length of the body and the foot. Any circumference or length beyond that is unnecessary and is considered excessive broom. It should be understood that using a broom smaller than the prescribed measurement is also a fault and requires atonement.
2. After mentioning the measurement of the broom in terms of the circumference of all the fruits, this section discusses the quantity of those fruits. The top of the broom, i.e., the top of the fruits that are strung together, will be very thin if the fruits are thin. This will result in a larger number of fruits, and the thin top fruits will not be very durable. Therefore, each fruit and its top should not be too thin, but should be of medium size.
3. 'Kandu sag bandhan' - Kandu sag bandhanam, tajjaitarena jo urayaharanam. Kanduso pun patta u anadino dosha.
Bandhan
2175.
Meaning - Binding the fruits together with a string of the same type (wool, etc.) or of a different type is called "Kandu sag bandhan", and binding them with a cloth strip is called "Kandu sag patta". These are forms of faults, and therefore require atonement.
The commentary states that if the fruits of the broom become worn out and break apart, binding them together will prevent them from scattering and will also facilitate transcription. For example, "Etehi karahi tamev thiggal-karenam sambaddham kareti, jena egpadilehana bhavati." 2177. This explanation also suggests that binding the fruits together is the meaning of "Kandu sag bandhan".
4. Avihie - Binding the broom with a cloth strip or binding the entire broom in a cloth or bag, and making it difficult to transcribe (for transcription) and difficult to sweep (for sweeping), is called "Pravidhi bandhan".
5. Paran tihan - To keep the broom properly bound with a wooden stick, three bindings can be applied. It is not necessary to apply more than three bindings to the broom. Applying more bindings than necessary or applying even one binding without purpose requires atonement.