Measurement

Published on 25th September, 2016, in Mid-day. The idea of measurement is a key theme in Hindu mythology. Stories from the Puranas introduce us to the complexity of measurement. A king says that he will give a dwarf all the land he can cover in three strides. The dwarf then transforms into a giant, his head reaching beyond the stars, his feet reaching beyond the bottom of the seas, and with two strides covers the whole material world. “Where do I place my foot after taking the third stride, king? Show me a spot that is not mine,” the dwarf-turned-giant demands. The king bows his ..