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India as Known to Panini: A Study of the Cultural Material in the Ashtadhyayi c9.s5: Section 8. Measures and Weights

India as Known to Pāṇini: A Study of the Cultural Material in the Ashṭādhyāyī c9.s5

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Section 8. Measures and Weights

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TERMS—The word *parimāṇa* in the *Ashṭādhyāyī* denotes cubic and gravitational measures, and *pramāṇa* a lineal measure. According to Patañjali¹ *unmāna* is a measure of weight, *parimāṇa* of volume or capacity (*sarvatomānam*), and *pramāṇa* a lineal measure (*āyāma*). *Pautava* used in the *Arthaśāstra* (Cf. *Pautavādhyaksha*, Superintendent of Weights and Measures) is unknown to Pāṇini.

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¹ *Ūrdhvamānaṁ kilonmānaṁ parimāṇaṁ tu sarvataḥ, Āyāmas tu pramāṇaṁ syāt saṁkhyā bāhyā tu sarvataḥ*, *Bhāshya*, V.1.19; II.343.

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*Parimāṇa* has a two-fold sense in the *Ashṭādhyāyī*. In its technical (*rūḍha*) sense it excludes *saṁkhyā* or number as in *sūtra* V. 1. 19 where both words are used together; and in a more general sense it includes even *saṁkhyā*, as in *sūtras* III. 3. 20 and IV. 3. 156 (where the *Kāśikā* specially notes the comprehensive meaning of *parimāṇa*). *Parimāṇa* thus denoted weights and measures from which the numerals as also measures of time were excluded, as stated by Patañjali on the authority of an old *vārttika* (*jñāpakaṁ tu kāla-parimāṇānāṁ parimāṇāgrahaṇasya*, III. 321; VII. 3. 15). The lineal measures whenever they are mentioned are strictly distinguished as *pramāṇa*.

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SCALE—A scale is called *tulā*, and articles weighed with a balance *tulya* (*tulayā saṁmitam*, IV.4.91). The string fastened to the horizontal rod in order to lift the scales was called *pragraha* in the language of traders (*Pre vaṇijām*, III. 3. 52). The measures appear to have been made of wood. The word *dravya* found earlier in the *Atharvaveda* (V. 20. 2) and meaning ‘wooden’, is mentioned by Pāṇini to denote a measure (*Māne vayaḥ*, IV. 3. 162) and is reminiscent of the times when wooden measures were in use. A tradition recorded in grammatical literature credits a Nanda king with the standardising of weights and measures for the first time (*Nandopakramāṇi mānāni*, *Kāśikā*, II. 4. 21 and VI. 2. 14). This may have been due to meet the needs of a vast empire. By the time of Patañjali, measures like *droṇa*, *khārī* and *āḍhaka*, etc., had been fixed as of an approved standard (*aktaparimāṇanām arthānāṁ vāchakā bhavanti naivādhike bhavanti na cha nyūne*, *Bhāshya*, I.4.13; I.216).

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WEIGHTS—Pāṇini mentions the following weights:

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(1) *Māsha*—It occurs as the name of a coin (V. 1. 34), and also denoted a corresponding weight, which was 5 *rattis* for gold and copper and 2 for silver (*Arth.* and *Manu*).

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Pāṇini also refers to *nishpāva* (III. 2. 28), which finds mention in Jain literature (*Anuyogadvāra Sūtra*, 132) after *guñjā* and *kākiṇī* and was used for weighing gold, silver, jewels, pearls, etc.

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(2) *Śāṇa*—It is referred to in two *sūtras* (V. 1. 35; VII. 3. 17) as the name of a coin. According to the *Mahābhārata* *śāṇa* was one-eighth of a *śatamāna* or 100 rattis (Vanaparva, 134. 14), and thus weighed 12½ *rattis*. Charaka refers to *śāṇa* as one-fourth of a *suvarṇa*, *i.e.* four *māshakas* or 20 *rattis* (Kalpasthāna, XII. 89), and its half-weight as *śāṇārdha* for weighing small doses of medicine (Chikitsāsthāna, XXVI, 248).

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(3) *Bista* (IV. 1. 22; V. 1. 31). Pāṇini refers to articles purchased for two or three *bistas*. The *Amarakośa* explains *bista* as a synonym of *karsha* or *aksha* used for weighing gold. Charaka treats *karsha*, *suvarṇa* and *aksha* as synonyms. It appears that Pāṇini used *bista* as a synonym for *suvarṇa*. Thus *bista* was equal to 80 *rattis*.

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(4) *Añjali* (V. 4. 102). In such phrases as ‘purchased for two or three *añjalis*’ (*dvy-añjali*, *try-añjali*) *añjali* is a definite measure. According to Charaka 16 *suvarṇas* make one *añjali*, which was also called *kuḍava*. Kauṭilya makes *kuḍava* as the basis of calculating higher weights, *e.g.* four *kuḍavas=* one *prastha*, and four *prasthas*=one *āḍhaka* (*Arth.*, Vol. II.19). This is the same scale as in Charaka.

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(5) *Āḍhaka* (V. 1. 53). It was a weight equal to 16 *kuḍavas* or 256 *karshas*. Charaka makes *pātra* a synonym of *āḍhaka* (Kalpasthāna, XII.94). Pāṇini mentions both these in *sūtra* V. 1. 53, with reference to cooks able to handle so much quantity. Special mention is made of fields requiring one *pātra* of seed for sowing (V. 1. 46, *pātrikaṁ kshetram*, *pātrikī kshetrabhaktiḥ*).

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(6) *Kaṁsa* (V. 1. 25; VI. 2. 122). Charaka explains *kaṁsa* as equal to 8 *prasthas* or 2 *āḍhakas*. In the older literature *kaṁsa* is said to have denoted a pot or vessel of metal (*Vedic Index*, 1.130).

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(7) *Mantha* (VI. 2. 122). The exact weight is not indicated in any table, but Pāṇini mentions it after *kaṁsa* and before *śūrpa* as a measure-denoting word, and this makes it highly probable that *mantha* corresponds to *droṇa* with its synonyms of *kalaśa* and *ghaṭa* in the table of Charaka. A *mantha* would thus be equal to 4 *kaṁsas* or 8 *āḍhakas*.

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(8) *Śūrpa* (V. 1. 26; VI. 2. 122). It was a measure equal to two *droṇas* (Charaka).

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(9) *Khārī* (V.1.33). Pāṇini refers to an article purchased for 1½ *khārī* called *adhyardha-khārīka*, and says that in the opinion of the Eastern grammarians *khārī* becomes *khāra* in a *Dvigu* compound (V. 4. 101, *Khāryāḥ Prāchām*). Kātyāyana mentions the latter form in the *vārttika khāra-śatādyartham* (V. 1. 58). It appears that *khārī* was the unit for measuring large heaps of corn, as in the expression *khāra-śatika rāśi* and *khāra-sahasrika rāśi*, heap of corn on the threshing floor weighing 100 and 1000 *khārīs* (*Bhāshya*, II. 353) A *khārī* was certainly a higher weight than *droṇa* as Patañjali would have it (*adhiko droṇaḥ khāryām*, II. 387; V. 2. 73). The *Arthaśāstra* defines *khārī* equal to 16 *droṇas* (II. 19.). In the table of Charaka 4 *droṇas* make 1 *khārī*.

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(10) *Goṇī* (I. 2. 50). A *śloka-vārttika* interprets *goṇī* as a measure (*Bhāshya*, I.2.50 I.226), *goṇīmātramidam goṇīḥ*). According to Charaka *goṇī* is synonymous with *khārī*.

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(11) *Bhāra*. It is referred to in *sūtra* VI. 2. 38, in connection with the derivation of *mahā-bhāra*. The exact significance is uncertain, but like other words of that *sūtra* it was a *samjñā* word with a definite meaning, and not a common noun. According to the table given in the *Amarakośa* (II.9. 87) 1 *bhāra* = 8,000 *karshas* or nearly 2½ maunds. This is supported by Kauṭilya defining *bhāra* as equal to 20 *tulās* (*viṁśati-tauliko bhāraḥ*, II. 19); a *tulā* being equal to 100 *palas*, a *bhāra* would be = 2,000 *palas* or 2½ maunds. It appears that the quantity weighed at one time by a hand-balance was one *tulā* or 5 seers. *Bhāra* appears to be a head-load carried by a human being, and *mahā-bhāra* would indicate a quantity much in excess of this, most likely a cart-load.

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(12) *Āchita* (IV.¹.22; V.1.53). According to *Amara*, *āchita* is a cart-load (*śākaṭobhāra āchitaḥ*, II.9.87), consisting of 10 *bhāras*, which is equal to 20,000 *palas*, or 25 maunds.

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Other measures mentioned are *pāyya* (III. 1. 129), *kulija* (V. 1. 55), *shashṭhaka* (V. 3. 51), the exact significance of which is not known. The *pāyya* seems to be the measure called *pāi* in Punjab and Rajputānā and *pyā* in the U. P., used for measuring grain and having a capacity of 5 to 7 seers. Its smaller unit of about 3 seers is called *pāyali* in Bombay.¹ In *sūtra* VI. 2. 122 Pāṇini regulates the accentuation of *pāyya* in a numeral compound. *Kulija* is mentioned in the *Kauśika Sūtra* (12 and 43). *Shashṭhaka* seems to be related to *shashṭhāṁśa* a sixth part, being the amount of grain taken by the king as tax. Its minimum unit seems to be a *droṇa* measure as indicated by the term *droṇa-māpaka*, an officer appointed to collect one-sixth share of the produce (*Kurudhamma Jāt.* III.276). *Vaha* (III. 3. 119) and *kumbha* (VI. 2. 102) are also mentioned without being specified as measures, but in the *Artha-* *śāstra kumbha* was 20 *droṇas* and *vaha* equal to 10 *kumbhas*.

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¹ Cf. Burmese *pyi*, a measure, about a quart (B.S.O.S., X.p.39).

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*Paṇa* is also stated to be a *parimāṇa*, but not with reference to the famous coin of that name. It rather signifies bundles of vegetables tied together and sold as a unit, *e.g.* *mūlaka-paṇa*, *harita-paṇa* (III.3.66).

Measures of Length

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PRAMĀṆA—*Pramāṇa* denotes a measure of length, except in VI.2.4, where it includes weights also, as *go-lavaṇa*, *aśva-lavaṇa*, salt for the cow and the horse, and in VI.2.12 where the length of time is also indicated by it as *Prāchya-saptasamaḥ*, *Gāndhāri-saptasamaḥ*, meaning a resident of seven years' standing in the Prāchya or Gandhāra country.

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Pāṇini mentions the following measures of length:

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(1) *Aṅguli* (V. 4. 86). 8 barley grains (*Arth.* II. 20, p. 106)=¾th of an English inch.

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(2) *Dishti* and *Vitasti* (VI. 2. 31). Both are synonymous terms (*Bhāshya*, quoting a *śloka-vārttika*, VI.2.1; III.122). *Vitasti* in the table of the *Arthaśāstra*=12 *aṅgulas* (II. 20). But *dishṭi* as a measure is of very rare occurrence in Indian literature. The word occurs in the Kharoshṭhī documents from Central Asia as *diṭhi*, corresponding to the Iranian measure *distay*, no doubt equivalent to a span (F. W. Thomas, Some Notes on Central Asian Kharoshṭhi Documents, *B. S. O. A. S.*, XI, 1945, p. 547).

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Patañjali also mentions the *śama* measure before *dishṭi* and *vitasti* (*Bhāshya*, V. 2. 37; II. 378), which according to the *Arthaśāstra* was equal to 14 *aṅgulas*. Probably the word *śambā* in Pāṇini (V. 4. 58) was connected with the *śama* measure, and indicated that kind of intensive ploughing in which the furrow was deepened to a *śama* or 14 *aṅgulas* of depth (*śambā karoti*).

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(3) *Purusha*. Pāṇini mentions the *purusha* measure, preceded by a numeral, to denote depth (*Purushāt pramāṇe' nyatarasyām*, IV.1.24), *e.g.* *dvipurushā*, *dvipurushī*; *tripurushā*, *tripurushī parikhā*, a moat 2 or 3 '*purushas*' deep; or *dvipuru-sham*, *tripurusham udakam*; water 2 or 3 *purusha* measures deep (*Purusha-hastibhyām-aṇ cha*, V. 2. 38, *Kāśikā*). Anything equal to 1 *purusha* measure in depth was called *paurusha*.

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The *purusha* measure is stated in the *Arthaśāstra* to be of three kinds:

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(i) 5′ 3″=84 *aṅgulas*=1 *vyāma*=1 *khāta purusha*, for measuring ropes, moats and depths;
(ii) 6′=96 *aṅgulas*=4 *aratni*=1 *purusha*, being the standard height of a man, probably to measure recruits for the army;
(iii) 6′ 9″=108 *aṅgulas*=4½ aratni=1 *purusha* measure, for sacrificial altars.

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Thus a moat of 2 *purusha* measures was 10½ ft. in depth and of 3 *purushas* 15¾ ft. According to Baudhāyana the *purusha* measure or altars was slightly bigger: *Pañchāratniḥ purusho vyāmaścha* (*Baudh.* S. XXX. 1. p. 389)), *i.e.* a *purusha* or *vyāma* is equal to 5 *aratnis* or 7½ ft. (cf. also *Padamañjarī* on IV. 1. 24, *Pañchāratniḥ purusha iti Śulva-vidaḥ*).

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(4) *Hastin.* A *hastī* measure is to be determined from the standard measurement of an elephant of the best class at forty years age, *viz.* 'seven *aratnis* in height, nine *aratnis* in *length*, ten *aratnis* in circumference' (*Arth.* II. 31).

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Kauṭilya, refers to the *hastī* measure twice, and at both places the length of the animal (*hastyāyāma*) is taken and not its height (p. 136). It shows that in general practice the *hastī* measure was based on the length of the animal, which was 9 *aratnis*=13½ ft.

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The height of a rampart in the *Mahāsutasoma Jātaka* (V. 477) is stated as 18 cubits (*aṭṭhārasa-hattha-pākārena*), or 27 feet, which would be equal to 2 *hastī* measures. Even today a fort-wall is built to be 18 cubits in height.

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(5) *Kāṇḍa* (IV. 1. 23) is referred to as a measure for measuring the area of fields. The *Arthaśāstra* in the table of field measures refers to 1 *daṇḍa*=six *kaṁsas* or 192 *aṅgulas*, i.e. 12 ft. (*Arth.* II. 20, p. 107). *Dvikāṇḍī, trikāṇḍī rajjuḥ*, cited in the *Kāśikā* shows that *kāṇḍa* was a submultiple of *rajju*. The *Bālamanoramā* takes *kāṇḍa* and *daṇḍa* to be synonymous with a length of 16 *hastas* or 27 ft. The Jātakas mention the *Rajjugāhaka* officers connected with land-surveying (*Kurudhama Jat.* III 276). 1 *rajju* measure was equal to 10 *daṇḍas*. *Nivartanā* an ancient square measure for measuring the area of fields was equal to 3 *rajjus*. When *kāṇḍa* denoted merely a lineal measure it took the suffix *ṅīp*, as *dvikāṇḍī rajju*, but when a square measure or area of a field (*kshetrabhakti*) it took *ṭāp* in the feminine gender, as *dvi-kāṇḍā kshetrabhaktiḥ*.

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(6) *Kishku*. It is included in the *Gaṇa-pāṭha* of VI. 1. 157 (*Pāraskara-prabhṛitīni cha saṁjñāyam*), which on the authority of Patañjali (III. 96) may be taken as a genuine reading. According to the *Arthaśāstra*, *kishku* was = 32 *aṅgulas* (2 feet) in ordinary usage, but = 42 *aṅgulas* for sawyers and blacksmiths. It was a measure employed in connection with camping grounds, forts and palaces (*Arth.* II. 20). It is referred to in the Mahābhārata (Āraṇyakaparva, 126.29).

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(7) *Yojana* (V.1.74), a measure=4 *gorutas* or *krośas* =2,000 × 4 yards, or 4.54 British miles. (Cf. *Arth.* Trans. by Dr. Shamsastri, p. 118 with footnote).

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A summary of lineal measures is given below; those in Italics being from Pāṇini.

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| 8 Yavas | = 1 Aṅgula | = ¾ in. |
| 12 Aṅgulas | = 1 *Dishṭi* or *Vitasti* | = 9 in. |
| 2 Vitastis | = 1 *Aratni* | = 1½ ft. |
| 42 Aṅgulas | = 1 *Kishku* | = 2′ 7½″ |
| 84 Aṅgulas | = 1 *Khāta Paurusha* | = 5 | 3 ft. |
| 216 Aṅgulas | = 1 *Hastī Āyāma* | = 13½ ft. |
| 192 Aṅgulas | = 1 Dāṇḍa = *Kāṇḍa* | = 12 ft. |
| 10 Daṇḍas | = 1 Rajju | = 40 yds. |

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