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Weights and Measures 2: Length and Time Units
(iii) Highest countable number (HN). It may have value upto 1019739 or more, a very large number28.
Table 6 shows that there is difference in the name of some units in literature. R. V. does not mention the unit of Nali or Ghati at all. There is difference in the values of Prāṇa, P units also. It is seen that despite 'Samaya' being smallest unit of time, it is very difficult to define it mathematically. However, if Nali unit of T. P. and J. D. P. is taken as equivalent to Ghāti, G of A. D. S. and Ucchvāsa is the same as Prāņa, we get coherent time units up to 'Prana' from below which is equal to 1/77 x 7 x 7 = 1/3773 M 60 x 48/3773 = 0.75 (3/4) seconds approximately.
: 285
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Above that, we have differing opinion regarding Avalil Āvalika, A, as the value of Sankhyāta, Ss is not known. Though the 'Prana' is defined as the time for one complete respiration, yet it is said to be consisting of sankhyāta Āvalikas according to all references above except the one quoted by Muni Mahendraji30. This Sankhyāta is said to be equal to 84' x 10' where x varies between 36-26 and y varies between 90-180 and this numerable number censists of 192-250 digits. It would mean that 10-192-250 Avalikas make one Prāna. Interpolating, an Avalika would be 10-190 to 10-248 second. The innumerable 'Samayas' form an Avalika. The value of innumerable number also varies according to its types (there are three types) but it must be greater than at least the value of numerable number, i. e., 10-192-250. Thus, with the minimum reckoning, the value of 'Samaya' unit should be approximately 10-380 to 10-500 second. This value of 'Samaya' may be least and finest mathematically, but it seems to be impractical at present. Besides the diversity in the value of innumerable, its value is not definite. Hence, to call it a basic unit requires serious consideration. Because of this, its absoluteness can not be taken as granted. Moreover, if 'Prāṇa' is taken as the time taken for one complete respiration (one inhale and one exhale ), which is roughly half a second, the Avalika unit becomes still smaller. Hence, it
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