Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c43.s3.t13.73

v2.c43.s3.t13.73

Varāhamihira recorded that small pearls were sold in numbers or in groups of one dharaṇa. When the number of pearls weighing one dharaṇa (6.4 māṣakas) was 13, the price was 325 rūpakas. As the number for one dharaṇa weight went on increasing, the price fell steadily, presumably because the size went on decreasing. 40 number, 100 number and 500 number (one dharaṇa) collections cost 50, 25 and 3 rūpakas respectively. 13, 16, 20, 25, 30, 40, 55 and 80 or more pearls weighing a *dharaṇa* were given specific names: *pikkā, piccā, arghā, ardhā, ravaka, siktha, nigarā* and *cūrṇā* respectively. (*Bṛ. Saṃ.*, 81.17). Buddhabhaṭṭa gave another list: *guccha* (13), *dārvikā* (16), *śuvaka* (20), *siktahasta* (30), *sikta* (40), *makaraśīrṣa* (60), *kūpya* (80-90) and *pūrṇa* for 100, and above number weighing one *dharaṇa* (*RP*, 86-92). *Garuḍa Purāṇa* gave a similar tariff (*GP*, 1.69.27-34) closely resembling that in *Ratnaparīkṣā*.