By Swami Harshananda
Niṣka, Definition[edit]
Using coins as money was a practice in ancient India. Suvarṇa, śatamāna and niṣka are some of the words used to indicate these. The word ‘niṣka’ occurs in the Atharvaveda[1] and refers to a necklace of niṣka.[2] The Ṛgveda[3] refers to Rudra as wearing a ‘Viśvarupaniṣka’.[4]
Niṣka by Weight[edit]
The following table can give an idea of the niṣka by weight:
| Weight of 5 liquorice seeds | 1 māsa |
| 16 māṣas | 1 suvarṇa |
| 108 suvarṇas | 1 niṣka |
‘Dināra’ seems to be another name used for niṣka.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore