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SUTRA 8.
1,000 yojanas deep and of the diameter of the smallest continent, viz., 100,000 yojanas. If the pit A is filled with mustard seeds up to the top and above it in conical formation, calculation shows that the pit will hold 197,711,293,845,131,636,363,
4
636,363,636,363,636,363,636,363,6 seeds of mustard.
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Suppose we empty this pit by dropping one seed in each of the continents and oceans, which, as have supposed, form an interminable chain. At the place where the last seed is dropped we dig another pit 1,000 yojans deep, as before and of the diameter of this ocean or continent, whatever it be and fill it to the top as before. Empty this pit again in the same manner beginning with the continent or ocean next to one in which this pit is situated. Stop where the last seed is dropped and dig a pit of the same depth as before but of the diameter of the ocean or the continent itself. Remember that the diameter is doubling as we go to the succeeding ocean or the continent. This process will be continued until the pit D is filled in the manner indicated in the next paragraph. Let the pits dug so far be called the pits of A series.
Each time that a pit of A series is dug one mustard seed must be thrown in B until the latter is full to the top as indicated in the case of A. When this is achieved, the same process of traversing the continents and oceans of ever-increasing diameter and digging the pits is to be continued. Let the pits now dug be called the pits of B series. Each time that a pit of B series is dug one seed must be thrown into the pit C. The whole process is to be repeated until the pit D is filled. Let the number of seeds in the last pit of C series when D is full be represented by x.
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and reliable computation on the magnitude of a yojana is given where on the 100 11
basis of Velocity of light the value has been calculated as- = ( 9 )
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miles.
This is confirmed by the following scale;
12 Angulas = 1 Vitasti or span=9"
2 Vitastis 1 Hasta or Cubit
4 Hastas 1 Danda or Staff=6"
25 2000 Dandas =1 Kośa=12000' = -miles 11
100 11
Kośa =1 yojana= miles (Science Today, April, 1974) The idea of a smaller yojana for measuring the size of the bodies and a Mahāyojana of 4000 miles for measuring lands and seas is found only in jaina literature and nowhere else.
