Note on Hemchandras Abhidhanchintamani and Sanskrit Karmavati

Author(s): Nalini Balbir
Publisher: ZZ_Anusandhan

Page 23

फेब्रुअरी २०११
(c) karma and vāți
If we combine the results of (a) and (b), it becomes possible to assume the following equivalence: karma-vāți *karma-vāra/vāri karma-divasa, "practical day, day for/of work/rituals = civil day". In its original meaning the word could refer to the basic time unit which was used in classical India for practical activities and as the basis for payment of wages, interests, etc. The commentary on the Arthasastra (2.7.6 and 20.47) or works such as the Sukraniti and Sanskrit mathematical texts use civil time units in daily computing: "Karmasamvatsarah: this is the official year for completing the accounts of the various undertakings".36 Whereas the solar and lunar years are important for astrological and astronomical purposes, the starting point of all calculations is the "standard" year of 30 days x 12 months = 360 days. The year of 360 civil days (called ahoratra, dina, divasa) is the one invariably mentioned in the introductory definitions of technical terms (paribhāṣa-sanjñā) in Sanskrit mathematical treatises.37 No generic term designating this type of year is used or has been handed down to us in these sources, but reference to the civil year, month and day is generally implied. The Jaina tradition, however, has coined a specific terminology for these notions, used it consistently and preserved it sporadically in the available sources: civil time had probably much more impact in practice than what they reveal. The statement of the Jaina commentator Śanticandra (see above 3(b) (ii)) proves true: everybody uses different types of years depending on his field.
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१८९
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Yet part of the mystery remains: why is karmavāți or its Prakrit equivalent not attested as a term in any treatise? Why does it appear in a unique manner in the 12th century,
36. Note in Kangle's translation of AŚ 2.7.6.
37. See Aryabhața, Aryabhatiya, Kalakriyāpāda 1; Śridhara, Pāțiganita, rule 13; Mahavira, Ganitasarasamgraha 1.34-35. (References kindly communicated by Prof. S.R. Sarma).