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186
AŅUOGADDĀRĀIM
(SUTTAS 507
(a) minimum (number); (b) neither minimum nor maximum (number, that is,
an intermediate number between the minimum and the maximum) [The maximum of infinite-infinite is not admitted
Commentary,p. 217 B] 507. How much is the minimum numerable (number)?1 (The minimum numerable number) is number two', (and) after that there are the (numerical) places which are neither minimum nor maximum (numbers), (continuing) till the maximum numerable (number) is not arrived at.
508. How much is the maximum numerable (number) ?" I shall explain the maximum numerable number (thus) : Suppose there is a circular store (palla) which is stated to be one hundred thousand joyaņas in length and breadth, and-three hundred thousand, sixteen thousand, two hundred twenty-seven (3, 16, 227) joyanas, and three (3) kosas, and twenty-eight hundred (2800) dhanus, and thirteen and a half (131) amgulas and extra-plus--in circumference.
This is the measure of the Jambuddiva]. This pallas is filled with mustard-seeds (siddhatthaya). Then those mustardseeds are emptied in islands and oceans, one (mustard-seed being thrown) in an island and one in the ocean (consecutively). The total number of islands and oceans (thus) touched by (all) those mustard seeds, thus thrown one after another, (make) such (a vast) area called circular store (palla). This (latter) palla is filled with mustard-seeds. Then those mustard-seeds are emptied in islands and oceans, one (mustard-seed being thrown) in an island and one in the ocean (consecutively). The total number of islands and oceans (thus) touched by (all) those mustard-seeds, thus thrown one after another, (make) such (a vast) area of circular store. (Now) the first stick (salaga) (is to be thrown) there in the palla thus made). Indes. cribable (number of) logas (islands and oceans) are thus filled by such sticks, but yet (even by the total number of mustard-seeds thus used, one) does not arrive at the maximum numerable number, What is the example in point? (Suppose) there is a platform filled with hog-plum fruits. When one hog-plum fruit is placed there, that is accommodated, when another is placed, that also is accommodated, yet another is
1. Vide supra, sutta No. 498. 2. Vide supra, sutta No. 498. 3. The Commentary, p. 218 A, gives its depth as one thousand joyanas.