Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v2.c74.s2.80

v2.c74.s2.80

In the relative system there are as many as three types of Aṅgulas--Mānāṅgula, Mātrāṅgula and Dehāṅgula (or Dehalabdha-aṅgula). The first is what is described above. Dr. Bannerjea (cf. D. H. I. p. 316-7) doubts the applicability of this type of aṅgula as the unit of measurement by the iconographers of ancient and medieval India, as the width of eight yavas (barley corns) placed side by side is far thicker than the same of the unit which was adopted by the artisis in measuring different sections of images. And higher units of length-measurement as used in Śilpa-texts, such as Kiṣku (*i. e.* 24 aṅgulas making one kiṣku), Prājāpatya (25 aṅgulas) Dhanurgṛha (*i. e.* 26 aṅgulas) Dhanurmuṣṭi (*i. e.* 27 aṅgulas) and Daṇḍa (*i. e.* 4 dhanurmuṣṭis) have no place in iconometry. Though derivatives of aṅgula, *i. e.* mānāṅgula, they are employed in such architecutral planning as streets and towns, etc.