Vitasti

A vitasti (Sanskrit: वितस्ति, vitasti) is an ancient Indian unit of length approximating to 21 centimeters.

Etymology

The Sanskrit word vitasti, meaning "span", is an ancient Indo-Iranian term. It is derived from the Proto-Indo-Iranian term *witasti- and is related to Avestan vītasti, Kurdish bist and Persian bidast, all meaning "span".[1]

Measurement

According to the Vāstuśāstra, a vitasti is equal to 12 aṅgulas. It is defined as the long span between the extended thumb and the little finger or as the distance between the wrist and the fingertips.[2]

Equivalence to other units of length

8 Paramāṇu = 1 Rathadhūli (chariot-dust)
8 Rathadhūli = 1 Vālāgra (hair-end)
8 Vālāgra = 1 Likṣā (nit)
8 Likṣā = 1 Yūkā (louse)
8 Yūkā = 1 Yava (barley)
8 Yava = 1 Aṅgula (finger)
12 Aṅgula = 1 Vitasti (span)
2 Vitasti = 1 Kiṣku (cubit)

gollark: -9.
gollark: Can we call it a chronoforest?
gollark: Probably a doctor who episode.
gollark: I was about to say that.
gollark: I know you know, but I'm just saying that of all two time-related dragons, two have forest on their habitats, one exclusively.

References
  1. The Indo-Aryan inherited lexicon by Alexander Lubotsky
  2. Sir Monier Monier Williams dictionary
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.