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Mathematical Expositions of Virasena in Dhavala Commentary:
(203)
617
squared-squared; we get another very large number (617)' , say y. In this step again, we deduce, one from 2,(2-1=1). Again, we follow the same procedure fourth time (y)3, and get a still very larger number and deduce one from 1. Thus, the original Śalāka number is zeroed, but the last operation gives a much larger number, say z. This z becomes a new basis for second Śalāka operation and when this is completed, we get still a very large number (a) when the basic number is reduced to zero. This is the second operation. The last number obtained, then, (a) becomes the base for the third operation. It is squared-squared many times until the basic number is reduced to zero. This is third
operation. The larger number obtained in 3rd operation is again treated in the same way many times until the basic number after stepwise one-by-one deduction becomes zero. The four-fold Salāka gives the number of fire-bodied beings. Normally, as in the case of SS, threefold operations give very large numbers of maximal innumerable or infinite category. The modern computer will have to work out this number. The Jaina texts have given only the process but no quantitative calculations (Vol. 3, p. 334-35).
Use of Numbers: Numerical Denominations
The various classes of number are generally abstract, but their utility is learnt when they are related with time, length (area, volume etc.), mass and volume. Each of this category has numerical denominations based on, generally, ten. These are called units. Different categories have different units. They have, thus, denominational names to avoid repetitive cumbersomeness. The time units start from Samaya and go up to Sagaropama etc. The length units start from Paramāņu and go up to Yojana, Rajju and areal and volume units. The mass units start from Ardha-karṣa and go up to Bhāra or Väha. Their current values are given in Table 2.
Dhavala has used length and time units in several places as required in worldly or super worldly references. However, rare use of volume and mass units is observed. The denominational details are given by Jain with their current equivalents. This unitisation of numbers has made mathematics as a matter of common interest-both to the scholar and the public.
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