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dharana

See also dharan.

In India, at least as early as the 4ᵗʰ century bce – ?, a unit of mass = 16 silver-mashas or 20 saibya seeds. We have no idea what species “saibya” is; if you know, please email us.

A different dharana = 20 grains of rice, was used only for diamonds.

R. Shamasasatry, trans.
Kautila's Arthaśāstra. 8th ed.
Mysore: Mysore Printing and Publishing House, 1967.

See Book II, chapter 19.