1864.] 



On Ancient Indian Weights. 



259 



because it was frequented by gods. 23 18. The custom preserved by immemorial 

 tradition in that country, among the four 'pure classes, and among those which are 

 mixed, is called approved usage. 19, Kurukshetra [modern Dehli], Matsya 

 [on the Jumna], Pancha'la [Kanyakubja, Kanauj], and Subasena [or Mathura] 9 

 form the region called Bkahmarshi, distinguished from Bbahma'varta. 20. 

 From a Braliman who was born in that country, let all men on earth learn their 

 several usages. 21. That country which lies between Himawat and Yindhya, 

 to the east of YiNASxiNA [where the Sarasvati disappears in the desert 24 ] and 

 to the west of Peaya'ga [Allahabad], is celebrated by the title of Madhyadesa 

 [or the central region]. 22. As far as the eastern and as far as the western 

 oceans, between the two mountains just mentioned, lies the tract which the wise 

 have named Arta'vabta [or inhabited by respectable men], 23. That land on 

 which the black antelope naturally grazes is held fit for the performance of sacri* 

 fices ; but the land of Mlechhas [or those who speak barbarously] differs widely 

 from it. 24. Let the three first classes invariably dwell in those before-men- 

 tioned countries ; but a Su'dra, distressed for subsistence, may sojourn wher- 

 ever he chooses." 25 



It is reasonable to infer that, as a general rule, all schemes of 

 weights among an isolated people, initiating their own social laws, 

 should preferably be based upon some obvious unit of universal access, 

 rather than upon any higher measure of weight, which might natur- 

 ally result, under authoritative legislation, from progressive increments 

 on the lower basis. So that, in testing the intentional ratios of early 

 times by the extant money designed in accordance with the contem- 

 poraneous tables, it will be safer to proceed from the lowest tangible 

 limit of the scale, in preference to accepting any superior denomina- 

 tion as a standard whence to reduce, by division, the component ele- 

 ments involved. The intuitive unit of weight, among an imperfectly 

 formed agricultural community, would naturally be the most generally 



23. For the comparative geography of this tract, see Journal As. Soc. Bengal, 

 ii. 106. Major Colvin, vii. 752. ix. 688. Lt. Baker, xiii. 297. Major Mackeson. 

 Elliot's Glossary of Indian Terms, p. 78. 



24. Muir, " Sanskrit Texts," ii. pp. 415—418. Wilson, Rig Yeda Sanhita ill. 

 pp. xviii. — xix. St. Martin pp. 15, 73. 



25. Mr. Muir has given us a new translation of this celebrated passage, which, 

 as it differs from the above in the introductory portion, I annex in a separate 

 note. 



" The tract, fashioned by the gods, which lies between the two divine rivers* 

 Sarasvati and Drishadvati, is called Brahmavartta. The usage relating to castes 

 and mixed castes, which has been traditionally received in that country, is called 

 the pure usage. The country of Kurukshetra (in the region of modern Delhi), 

 and of the Matsyas (on the Jumna), Panchalas (in the vicinity of modern Ka- 

 nanj,) and Siirasenas (in the district of Math ur a) , which adjoins Brahmavartta, 

 £3 the land of the Brahmarshis (divine Bishis)."—-" Sanskrit Texts," ii. p. 417. 



