4 Quirewesfiesr ^LL^-LD (plate) 491- 5 5
5 Qutreyresfiesr seufih (a small pot) 483 5 5
6 QuiresrevDeyr ui^ssiL (vessel) 516^ 53
7 Qurresresfievr gj)^yLoz«u (ornament) 20 55
QuiresresReyr (?c^,^ar^jrL//ro)/r (idol) 72 35
It is to be noted that the weight of the seven articles was measured in kalanchu.
On the other hand large sized vessels, cooking utensils, water pots etc., were measured in palams (UGDLQ). Every one who has a knowledge of measures and weights of the Chola period from inscriptions of the period, certainly know that palam is much greater in magnitude than kalanchu and was made use of to measure common articles of use like pepper, ghee, sugar and the like.
An article in the inventories which had the greatest weight was a big ceremonial pot made to be installed on the top of the Vim Ana, Vim Ana kalasa. It is said to have been made of copper. But its weight is mentioned in kalanchus. Unlike other articles mentioned in the inventories? (which are less than 100 kalanchus in weight) it weighed 2926 kalanchu. The reason for measuring an article made of copper in kalanchus will become quite clear on reading the epigraph referring to its weight.
tf^ eQ Lb n~ esr j£ ^i uss
jSITJP! <5&^)(®5<3r.^8
(The stupa TharimAl was made out of a pot of copper that weighed 3083 palams. By treatment (by heat) and admixture with other metals (uG^Qun-dr) the weight of the metal was reduced to 2926 kalanchu).
It becomes evident that the copper pot was weighed in palams and then the alloy made out of it by treatment and admixture was weighed in kalanchus. After treatment and reduction in weight the alloy was not considered to be copper but panchaloka ua^Qurresr. This 'u^Quiresr' or pancha-loka was used for sacred purposes such as making idols or religious ritual objects. Then panchaloka became as precious as gold. Hence it wa? weighed in kalanchus.
Another vessel used for culinary purpose had the greatest weight. It is stated to have been made of pon. Its weight is given in kalanchu. But
