Institutes of Vishnu — IV.

IV. | Internet Sacred Text ArchiveSacred Texts Hinduism Index Previous Next # IV. 1. The (very small mote of) dust which may be discerned in a sun-beam passing through a lattice is called trasare*n*u (trembling dust). 2. Eight of these (trasare*n*us) are equal to a nit. 3. Three of the latter are equal to a black mustard-seed. 4. Three of these last are equal to a white mustard-seed. 5. Six of these are equal to a barley-corn. 6. Three of these equal a K*ri*sh*n*ala. [6. Krishnala (literally, 'seed, of the Guñ*g*â creeper') is another {footnote p. 24} name for Raktikâ or Ratî, the lowest denomination in general use. According to Prinsep (Useful Tables, p. 97) it equals 1.875 grains = 0.122 grammes of the metrical system. According to Thomas (see Colebrooke's Essays, ed. by Cowell, I, p. 529, note) it equals 1.75 grains.] 7. Five of these equal a Mâsha. 8. Twelve of these are equal to half an Aksha. 9. The weight of half an Aksha, with four Mâshas added to it, is called a Suvar*n*a. 10. Four Suvar*n*as make a Nishka. 11. Two K*ri*sh*n*alas of equal weight are equal to one Mâshaka of silver. 12. Sixteen of these are equal to a Dhara*n*a (of silver). 13. A Karsha (or eighty Raktikâs) of copper is called Kârshâpa*n*a. 14. Two hundred and fifty (copper) Pa*n*as are declared to be the first (or lowest) amercement, five hundred are considered as the middlemost, and a thousand as the highest. Next: V.