The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c4.s2.1

c4.s2.1

The scales of weights and measures used in ancient days differed in different parts of the country. Separate scales are described by modern compilers, under the names of *Mágadhi*, *Kálinga*, *Cháraka*, *Sausruta*, etc. The number of *gunjás* making a *tolá* varies in these scales from forty to ninety-six. The scale of weights and measures in ordinary use in Bengal, at the present day, has the *gunjá* (seed of *Abrus precatorius*) for its lowest weight. The *gunjá*, however, is divided into fractional parts by other seeds, thus eighteen mustard seeds, four grains of paddy, three grains of barley and two grains of wheat are respectively said to be equal to one *gunjá* गुञ्जा. This scale is as follows :— 6 *Gunjás* make one *áná*. 12 *Gunjás* make one *máshá* माषा. 8 *Máshás* or 16 *ánás* make one *tolá* तोला. 8 *Tolás* make one *pala* पल. 8 *Palas* or 64 *tolás* make one *seer* सेराव. 2 *Seers* make one *prastha* प्रस्थ. 8 *Seers* make one *ádhaka* आढ़क. 32 *Seers* make one *drona* द्रोण. 100 *Palas* or 12½ *seers* make one *Tulá* तुला.