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Measuring system

Sushruta Charaka Sharangadhara MagadhaSharangadhara

kalingaRasaratnasamuchhaya Conversion

- - - - 6 Anu = 1 Truti

- - - - 6 Truti = 1 Liksha

- - - - 6 Liksha = 1 Yuka

- - - - 6 Yuka = 1 Raja

- - 30 Paramanu = 1 Vanshi(Trasarenu) - -

- 6 Vanshi = 1 Marichi 6 Vanshi = 1 Marichi - -

- 6 Marichi = 1 Rajika 6 Marichi = 1 Rajika - -

- 3 Rajika = 1Raktasarapa

3 Rajika = 1 Raktasarshapa - 6 Raja = 1 Sarshapa

- - 2 Raktasarshapa = 1Peetasarshapa

- -

- 8 Raktasarshapa = 1

Tandula

- - -

- 2 Tandula = 1 Yava(Dhanyamasha)

8 Peetasarshapa = 1Yava(Dhanyaka)

12 Gaurasarshapa- 1 Yava

6 Sarshapa = 1 Yava

- - 2 Yava = 1 Gunja (Rattika) 2 Yava = 1 Gunja(Raktika)

6 Yava = 1 Gunja (Raktika) 120 Mg

4 Dhnyama = 1Nipva (Ak)

4 Dhanyamasha = 1Nishpava (Ak)

- - 2 Gunja = 1 Nishpava 240 Mg

- - - - 2 Gunja = 1 Valla 360 Mg

12 Dhnyama =1 M 4 Ak = 1 M 6 Gunja = 1 Masha 8 Guj = 1M 2 Valla = 1 Masha 720 Mg

19 Nipva = 1Dharaa (Ak)

3 M = 1 a(Dharaa)

4 M = 1 a (Dharaa /Taka)

4 M = 1 a 2 Masha = 1 Dharana 1.440 Gms

- - - 6 Ma = 1Gadyaa

-

- - - - 2 Dharana = 1 Shana (Nika /Kal)

2.880 Gms

8 Ma = 1 Kola 2 a = 1 Kola (Dra

kaa / Vaaka /Badara)

2 a = 1 Kola (Drakaa /

Vaaka / Badara /Kudraka)

- 2 Shana (Nika) = 1 Kola

(Vaaka)

5.76 Gms

2 Kola = 1Kara / Suvara /

2 Kola = 1 Kara (90Guj) / Suvara /

2 Kola = 1 Kara (96 Guj= 1 Tolakam) / Suvara /

10 Ma = 1Kara (80 Guj)

2 Kola = 1 Kara (96 Guj) /Nikacatuaya / Udumbara /

11.52 Gms

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Measuring system

The prevalent standard system of weights and measures was existent during the Rasashastra period. It was of two types; Kalinga andMagadha. Kalinga was preferred and used in the Kalinga region, currently Orissa state on the Eastern coast of India while Magadhawas preferred and used in Magadha area, currently Bihar state in North India. These two systems are not radically different; but atcertain places the texts prefer Magadha over Kalinga. Sushruta school follows Kalinga system while Charaka school follows theMagadha. The difference between the two ends at the level of Karsha and afterwards all the measures are similar. The difference isdue to the starting material which differs as Kaling starts off with Gaursarshap (seed of Brassica compasstris) at baseline and Magadhastarts off with the size of Paramanu (molecule) at baseline.In the later era Sharangdhar Samhita depicts both types.

Types of measurement 1. Weight - Pautava2. Volume - Druvaya3. Length Payya.4. Time - Kala

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Weights and Measures for Rasashastra:The system is elaborated in Rasaratnasamucchaya where the baseline is an Anu (Atom)For the preparations of various (rasaushadhies) medicines Rasashastriya Mana was used. This is because Rasaushadhies act in a very

small dose of 4 to 8 milligram and in pharmaceutics drugs like gold and diamond are used judiciously. Therefore the unit value of themeasure is a little less than the measure system adapted by Sharangdhar, but the measuring instruments and the unit were the same.E.g:

1 karsha = 72 ratti =720mg. in Rasashastra; whereas1 karsha = 96 ratti =960mg. in Kalinga or Magadha system.

A comparison chart of Sushruta , Charaka Sharangdhara Kalinga and Magadha, Rasaratnsamucchaya is provided along with metricconversions. The actual weight of one ratti is 120 mg is confirmed by conducting one experiment. Based on that one tola is 11.52 gms.All the calculations are done accordingly.