Institutes of Vishnu — IV.

IV. | Internet Sacred Text ArchiveSacred Texts Hinduism Index Previous Next

# IV.

1. 1.The (very small mote of) dust which may be discerned in a sun-beam passing through a lattice is called trasarenu (trembling dust).

1. 1.Eight of these (trasarenus) are equal to a nit.

1. 1.Three of the latter are equal to a black mustard-seed.

1. 1.Three of these last are equal to a white mustard-seed.

1. 1.Six of these are equal to a barley-corn.

1. 1.Three of these equal a Krishnala.

[6. Krishnala (literally, 'seed, of the Guñgâ 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.]

1. 1.Five of these equal a Mâsha.

1. 1.Twelve of these are equal to half an Aksha.

1. 1.The weight of half an Aksha, with four Mâshas added to it, is called a Suvarna.

1. 1.Four Suvarnas make a Nishka.

1. 1.Two Krishnalas of equal weight are equal to one Mâshaka of silver.

1. 1.Sixteen of these are equal to a Dharana (of silver).

1. 1.A Karsha (or eighty Raktikâs) of copper is called Kârshâpana.

1. 1.Two hundred and fifty (copper) Panas are declared to be the first (or lowest) amercement, five hundred are considered as the middlemost, and a thousand as the highest.

Next: V.