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A CULTURAL STUDY OF THE NISITHA CURNI
Prasthal was a famous measure of the time which was popular as kulava? in the Magadha visaya. The king decided proper weight and measures ( māņa ) for his kingdom and those transgressing the rules were liable to be punished. The Vaniks, however, were clever in cheating the customers by using false weights (kūdatula) and false measures (kūdamana). Banking and Loans
The banking facilities being not available in those days people either hoarded their money, underground (mihi nihāņa)5 or deposited it with the Vaniks. Money thus deposited was called nikkhevaga, and it was to be deposited after counting the money in the presence of a witness (sakkhi).' The system of depositing money with the Vaniks, however, was not very safe. Instances are to be found when the Vaniks appropriated the whole deposit (ņikkhevaga),8 and the poor depositors could not even lodge a complaint against them.
The Vaniks gave money to the people on loan (iņa).• It was given after taking a written letter from the debtor in the presence of a witness or a surity (sakşi, pratibhu).10 A heavy interest was charged from the debtors wbich meant doubling
1. NC. 1, p. 144; NC. 4, p. 331. 2. HIETIGHT Yt fi gianat NC. 4, p. 158. 3. जहा रणो अप्पणो रज्जे जं माणं प्रतिष्ठापितं जो ततो माणातो अतिरेगमूलं वा करेति
ĦT 3777ret fraf-NC. 4, p. 331. 4. जं वाणियगा परस्स चवखुवचेऊण मप्पकं करेंति, कूडतुलकूडमाणेहिं वा अवहरंति
NG. I, p. 115. 5. foajor forat, fo feci Fairtai alangtalaciet:-NC. 3, p. 387. 6. NC. 2, p. 102. 7. NC. 3, p. 274. According to Mitāksarā, mikse pas were the deposits
counted in the presence of the depository, while nyāsas were the deposits handed over in the absence of the head of the house. -Gopal, op. cit., p. 177. 8. fc a a aforament estat fugeasi fuffeti sahabat zaaafd-NC. 1,
P. 102.
9. NC. 3, pp. 263, 394. 10. E Fireft afaz atah-NC.
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