History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c38.s1.t1.2

v1.c38.s1.t1.2

The *Ṛgveda* and other Vedas used the words, *puruṣa*, *aratni*, *pada*, *aṅgula*, *parva*, *muṣṭi*, etc. for linear measures (Macdonell and Keith). The *Puruṣa* is defined in the Vedic literature as the measure of a man with outstretched arms. The *Śulba Sūtras* of Baudhāyana (BSl.1.3) and Āpastamba (ASl.6.5,15.4) used *rajju* or rope with marks and knots and give the units as follows: