The Hindu-Arabic Numerals c7.32

c7.32

When the *aṅkapallī*,¹ the decimal-place system of writing numbers, was perfected, the tenth symbol was called the *śūnyabindu*, generally shortened to *śūnya* (the void). Brockhaus² has well said that if there was any invention for which the Hindus, by all their philosophy and religion, were well fitted, it was the invention of a symbol for zero. This making of nothingness the crux of a tremendous achievement was a step in complete harmony with the genius of the Hindu.