Book 2, Chapter 19: The Superintendent of Weights and Measures

THE Superintendent of Weights and Measures shall have the same manufactured.

10 seeds of mdsha (Phraseolus Radiatus) or

5 ,, gunja (Cabrus Precatorius) = 1 suvarna-masha. 16 máshas = 1 suvarna or karsha. 4 karshas = 1 pala. 88 white mustard seeds = 1 silver-mdsha. 16 silver mashas or 20 saibya seeds = | dharana. 20 grains of rice = 1 dharana of a diamond.

Ardha-mdasha (half a mdsha), one másha, two mdshas, four mashas, eight mdshas, one suvarna, two suvarnas, four suvarnas, eight suvarnas, ten suvarnas, twenty suvarnas, thirty suvarnas, forty suvarnas and one hundred suvarnas are different units of weights.

Similar series of weights shall also be made in dharanas.

Weights (pratimdndni) shall be made of iron or of stones available in the countries of Magadha and Mekala; or of such things as will neither contract when wetted, nor expand under the influence of heat.

Beginning with a lever of six angulas in length and of one pala in the weight of its metallic mass, there shall be made ten (different) balances with levers successively increasing by one pala in the weight of their metallic masses, and by eight angulas in their length. A scale-pan shall be attached to each of them on one or both sides.

A balance called samavrittd, with its lever 72-angulas long and weighing 53 palas in its metallic mass shall also be made. A scalepan of 5 palas in the weight of its metallic mass being attached to its edge, the horizontal position of the lever (samakarana) when weighing a karsha shall be marked (on that

part of the lever where, held by a thread, it stands horizontal). To the left of that mark, symbols such as 1 pala, 12, 15 and 20 palas shall be marked. After that, each place of tens up to 100 shall be marked. In the place of Akshas, the sign of Nandi shall be marked.

Likewise a balance called parimdni of twice as much metallic mass as that of samavrittd and of 96 angulas in length shall be made. On its lever, marks such as 20, 50 and 100 above its initial weight of 100 shall be carved.

20 tulas == | bhara. 10 dharanas == | pala. 100 such palas == 1 dyamdni (measure of roy

Public balance (vydvahdrikd), servants' balance (bhájiní), and hare

(antahpurabhdjini) successively decrease by five palas (compared with dyamdni). A pala in each of the above successively falls short of the same in áyamáni by half a dharana. The metallic mass of the levers of each of the above successively decreases in weight by two ordinary palas and in length by six angulas. Excepting flesh, metals, salt, and precious stones, an excess of five palas (praydma) of all other commodities (shall be given to the king ) when they are weighed in the two first-named balances. A

wooden balance with a lever 8 hands long,

with measuring marks and

counterpoise weights shall be erected on a pedestal like that of a peacock. Twenty-five palas of firewood will cook one prastha of rice. This is the unit (for the calculation) of any greater or less quantity (of firewood). Thus weighing balance and weights are commented upon. Then,

1 drona which is an dyamdna, a measure of royal

200 palas in the grains of mdsha 187%,, 1

public drona. 175 ,, 1 bhdjaniya, servants' measure 162% ,, 1 antahpurabhdjaniya, harem measure.

Adhaka, prastha, and kudumba, are each % of the one previously mentioned.

16 dronas == 1 vari. 20 ,, == 1 kumbha. 10 kumbhas == 1 vaha.

Cubic measures shall be so made of dry and strong wood that when filled with grains, the conically heaped-up portion of the

grains standing on the mouth of the measure is equal to “4th of the quantity of the grains (so measured); or the measures may also be so made that a quantity equal to the heaped-up portion can be contained within (the measure).

But liquids shall always be measured level to the mouth of the measure.

With regard to wine, flowers, fruits, bran, charcoal and slaked lime, twice the quantity of the heaped-up portion (i.e., %th of the measure) shall be given in excess.

a drona. price of 34 pana ,, an ddhaka. 6 mdshas ,, a prastha. 1 másha ,, a kudumba.

The price of similar liquid-measures is double the above.

20 panas is the a set of counter-weights.

price of 6% panas ,, of a tuld (balance). The Superintendent shall charge 4 mdshas for stamping weights or measures. A fine of 27% panas shall be imposed for

using unstamped weights or measures.

Traders shall every day pay one kdkani to the Superintendent towards the charge of stamping the weights and measures.

Those who trade in clarified butter, shall give, (to purchasers) 1/32 part more as taptavydji (i.e., compensation for decrease in the quantity of ghi owing to its liquid condition). Those who trade in oil shall give 1/64 part more as taptavydji.

(While selling liquids, traders) shall give 1/50 part more as mánasráva (i.e., compensation for diminution in the quantity owing to its overflow or adhesion to the measuring can).

Half, one-fourth, and one-eighth parts of the measure, kumbha, shall also be manufactured.

84 kudumbas of clarified butter are held

a wáraka of the same; to be equal to 64 kudumbas of clarified butter are held make one wdraka of oil (taila);and4 of a wáraka to be equal to is called ghatika, either of ghi or of oil.