Sutra 7

Devanagari script

विंशतितण्डुलं वज्रधरणम् ॥ कZ_०२.१९.०७ ॥

Transliteration

viṃśatitaṇḍulaṃ vajradharaṇam

Translation

A vajra-dharaṇa (a standard weight-unit called ‘vajra-dharaṇa’) equals twenty grains of rice.

Word by Word

• विंशति: twenty
• Type: Numeral
• Root: विंशति
• Form: संख्यावाचक-शब्दः; अव्ययवत् प्रयुक्तः (indeclinable numeral); परिमाणनिर्देशे प्रयुक्तः

• तण्डुलम्: (a measure of) rice-grain; rice
• Type: Noun
• Root: तण्डुल
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः; द्वितीया-एकवचनम् (कर्म/परिमाण-निर्देशः)

• वज्रधरणम्: vajra-holder / the ‘vajradharaṇa’ (a named standard/item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वज्रधरण
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः; द्वितीया-एकवचनम्; समास-विग्रहः: वज्रस्य धरणम् (holding/holder of a vajra)

Entities Mentioned

• state metrology/weights authority
• merchants (implied)
• market inspectors (implied)

More Details

FAQs

Why define weights using grains like rice?

Because grains are widely available reference objects; the state can anchor official standards to simple, replicable baselines to reduce disputes and fraud.

What is the administrative purpose of naming a unit (vajra-dharaṇa)?

Named units allow uniform procurement, taxation, and adjudication by ensuring everyone refers to the same certified standard.