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SUTRA 12.
However if we take the Einstein's value of the radius of the finite universe we can arrive at the order of magnitude of a rajju thus: Radius of the universe = 1,068 million light-years. One light-year = 5.88 X 1012 miles
.. Volume of a spherical universe, i.e., (4/3 X 22/7 X r3) 4/3 X 22/7 (1068 X 10" X 5.88 X 10'33 cu. miles =1037 X 103 cu. miles
i.e., 1037 followed by 63 ciphers or 67 digits in all. Now if 1,037 X 103 be equated to 343 cu. rajjus, we get one rajju = 1.45 X 102 miles, whereas if equated to 239 cu. rajjus, we get: One rajju=1.63 X 102 miles, a quantity of the same order of magnitude as before.
Taking the definition of rajju given on page 80 fn. i.e. Rajju is the distance travelled by a Deva in six months at the rate of 2057152 yojanas per kṣaṇa we get; since one mahāyojana = 4,000 miles.
203
2057152 yojanas = 8228608000 miles and 6 months = 6 X 30 X 24 X 60 X 540000 prativipalamsa204
.. distance travelled in six months
= 8228608000 X 6 X 30 X 24 X 60 X 540000 miles 1.15 X 102 miles nearly.205
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This is almost the same as the magnitude of rajju arrived at from the Einstein's value of the radius of the universe. If we identify the unit of time (ksana) with prativipalāmsa the agreement is quite close. The following points should, however, be noted in this connection:
203. There is one element of uncertainty in the definition of yojana: the Mahayojana (used for measuring the dimensions of continents and seas) =2000 košas but whether one koś a=2 modern miles of 1760 yards each connot be said with certainty.
204. 60 Prativipalams a 60 Prativipala
60 Vipala 60 Pala
Therefore I minute
89
=1 Prativipala (fa) =1 Vipala (er)
= | Pala (4)
=1 Gharhi = 24 minutes () 60 X 60 X 60 X 60
X4X15552000
540000 Prativipalamś a.
24
205. According to Hindu Puranas, taking a yojana equal to 100/11 miles and a ksana equal to 1/4 of a second, we get the following for the magnitude of rajju---
100
2057152 X
11
(6 months 15552000 seconds) On simplification this gives one rajju miles nearly.
= 1.16 X 10