Angula, Aṅgula, Amgula: 32 definitions
Introduction:
Angula means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Buddhism, Pali, the history of ancient India, Marathi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
Images (photo gallery)
In Hinduism
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Source: Google Books: The Theory of Citrasutras in Indian PaintingAṅgula: one of the two basic units of measurement, according to the Viṣṇudharmottara Purāṇa; the other being called Tāla. The Aṅgula is the basic unit prescribed to calculate the measurements of images. Banerjea (1941, p. 347) explains that the term Aṅgula served as a unit of measurement in India from very early times. The term is used in the Ṛg-veda (X.90), in the Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa (X.2.1–2) in which prajāpati measures the fire altar by Aṅgulas, and in the Śulbasūtras which contain the rules for construction of raised altars (vedīs and agnis).
Dave (1991, p. 349) states that according to the Kapiñjala-saṃhitā (10.58–60) an Aṅgula is classified into three types:
- mānāṅgula (a unit comprising of 8 barley grains or yavas),
- mātrāṅgula (determined by the length of the middle phalanx of the patron’s right hand)
- and dehāṅgula (the aṅgula of the image itself)
Aṅgula (अङ्गुल) refers to the “basic measuring unit” (for idols), as discussed in chapter 12 (Kriyāpāda) of the Padmasaṃhitā: the most widely followed of Saṃhitā covering the entire range of concerns of Pāñcarātra doctrine and practice (i.e., the four-fold formulation of subject matter—jñāna, yoga, kriyā and caryā) consisting of roughly 9000 verses.—Description of the chapter [dhruvaberaparimāṇa-aṅgulādilakṣaṇa]: [...] Then follow descriptions of specific measurements—with special attention given for determining the size of an “aṅgula,” the basic measure used in all others. This unit may in fact vary greatly according to the object to which it is applied (24-52a). [...]
Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (śilpa)Angula (अन्गुल) or simply Mānāṅgula refers to an “inch measure” and represents a type of absolute measurement, as defined in the texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—In the Indian value of measurement of length there are two different kinds of units, namely, the absolute and the relative. Of these, the first is based on the length of certain natural objects, while the second is obtained from the length of a particular part or limb of the person whose measurement is under consideration. They have been specified by R. N. Mishra, in his text in volume 1 of Kalātattvakośa.
24 aṅgulas or mānāṅgulas (inch measure) make 1 kiṣku (cubit). 25 mānāṅgulas make 1 prajapathya. 26 mānāṅgulas make 1 dhanurgraha (bowlength). 27 mānāṅgulas make 1 dhanurmuṣṭi (bowlength).

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Google Books: Cultural History from the Vāyu PurānaAṅgula (अङ्गुल): A unit of measurement of distance, according to the Vāyu Purāṇa (वायु पुराण). The following table gives some idea about their relations to each other:
8 Aṅgulas = Prādeśa (?); 21 Aṅgulas = Ratni; 24 Aṅgulas = Hasta; 2000 Dhanus = Gavyūti; |
12 Aṅgulas = Vitasti; 2 Ratnis or 42 Aṅgulas = Kiṣku; 4 hastas = Dhanus; 8000 Dhanus = Yojana. |
Aṅgula (अङ्गुल).—Is eight times a yava. For other details see matsya p.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 7. 96; IV. 2. 121; Matsya-purāṇa 258. 18-21; Vāyu-purāṇa 8. 102; 101. 121 and 122.

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: Wisdom Library: Vāstu-śāstraAṅgula (अङ्गुल, “finger-breadth”) is the Sanskrit name for a unit of measurement, used in Vāstuśāstra literature, according to the Mānasāra II.40-53. A single Aṅgula unit corresponds to 8 Yava units. It takes 12 Aṅgula units to make a single Vitasti unit. It takes 26 Aṅgula units to make a single Daṇḍa unit.
Below follows a table of the different units of measurement in relation to one another:
- 8 Paramāṇu = 1 Rathadhūli, chariot-dust
- 8 Rathadhūli = 1 Vālāgra, hair-end
- 8 Vālāgra = 1 Likṣā, nit,
- 8 Likṣā = 1 Yūka, louse
- 8 Yūka = 1 Yava, barley-corn,
- 8 Yava = 1 Aṅgula, digit (finger-breadth),
- 12 Aṅgula = 1 Vitasti, span,
- 2 Vitasti (24 aṅgulas) = 1 Kiṣku, cubit,
- 4 Dhanurmuṣṭi (26 aṅgulas) = 1 Daṇḍa, rod,
- 8 Daṇḍa = 1 Rajju, rope
The smallest unit, which is paramāṇu, atom is stated ta be perceived (only) by the sages. For all practical purposes, aṅgula is the smallest unit of measurement. For this reason, it is seen to be treated in a special way in the text with regards to its universality that significantly downplays its semantic reference to the body.
Source: McGill: The architectural theory of the MānasāraAṅgula (अङ्गुल, “finger-breadth”).—For all practical purposes, aṅgula is the smallest unit of measurement. For this reason, it is seen to be treated in a special way in the text with regards to its universality that significantly downplays its semantic reference ta the body.
Source: OpenEdition books: Architectural terms contained in Ajitāgama and RauravāgamaAṅgula (अङ्गुल) refers to “finger (absolute or relative unit of measurement) §§ 2.1, 4.”.—(For paragraphs cf. Les enseignements architecturaux de l'Ajitāgama et du Rauravāgama by Bruno Dagens)

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)
Source: archive.org: Rasa-Jala-Nidhi: Or Ocean of indian chemistry and alchemyAngula refers to “ a finger’s breadth”. (see Bhudeb Mookerji and his Rasajalanidhi)
Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)
Source: archive.org: The Elephant Lore of the HindusAṅgula (अङ्गुल) refers to a unit of measuring elephants (twenty-four of which represents about 18 inches), according to the 15th century Mātaṅgalīlā composed by Nīlakaṇṭha in 263 Sanskrit verses, dealing with elephantology in ancient India, focusing on the science of management and treatment of elephants.—A hasta = kara = aratni = 24 aṅgulas = 2 vitastis = about 18 inches.

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wikibooks (hi): Sanskrit Technical TermsAṅgula (अङ्गुल).—1. Digit, as a unit of linear measure (finger-breadth). 2. Unit of length, 1/24th of a cubit. Note: Aṅgula is a Sanskrit technical term used in ancient Indian sciences such as Astronomy, Mathematics and Geometry.

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: Wisdom Library: HinduismAṅgula; ancient Hindu unit of measurement of distance. 8 Yavas make a single Aṅgula and 24 Aṅgulas make 1 Hasta. Thus 768000 Aṅgulas make up for a single Yojana.
If we consider a single Yojana to be 8 miles (~12.87km), one Aṅgula would correspond to roughly 0.66 inches (~1.67cm)
If we consider a single Yojana to be 5 miles (~8.04km), one Aṅgula would correspond to roughly 0.41 inc (~1.05cm)
More conversions based on the Aṅgula:
2 Aṅgulas = 1 Golaka or Kalā;
(1 Golaka = 1.32 inches or 3.35cm when a Yojana is 8 miles),
(1 Golaka = 0.83 inches or 2.1cm when a Yojana is 5 miles);
4 Aṅgulas = 1 Dhanu-graha;
(1 Dhanu-graha = 2.64 inches or 6.17cm when a Yojana is 8 miles),
(1 Dhanu-graha = 1.65 inches or 4.19cm when a Yojana is 5 miles);
8 Aṅgulas = 1 Prādeśa or Dhanu-musti;
(1 Prādeśa = 5.28 inches or 13.41cm when a Yojana is 8 miles),
(1 Prādeśa = 3.3 inches or 8.38cm when a Yojana is 5 miles);
12 Aṅgulas = 1 Vitasti or Tāla or Mukha;
(1 Vitasti = 7.95 inches or 20.12cm when a Yojana is 8 miles),
(1 Vitasti = 4.95 inches or 12.57cm when a Yojana is 5 miles);
21 Aṅgulas = 1 Ratni;
(1 Ratni = 13.86 inches or 35.20cm when a Yojana is 8 miles),
(1 Ratni = 8.66 inches or 22cm when a Yojana is 5 miles);
42 Aṅgulas = 1 Kiṣku;
(1 Kiṣku = 27.72 inches or 70.41cm when a Yojana is 8 miles),
(1 Kiṣku = 17.33 inches or 44.01cm when a Yojana is 5 miles);
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: Prakrit Bharati Academy: Jainism - the Creed for all TimesAṅgula (अङ्गुल, “the finger-measure”).—The basic Jaina units of measuring lengths is aṅgula or finger-measure. The practical unit of finger-measure is an utsedhāṅgula (UA – used for measuring heights of bodies and idols), which is 1/7,68000th of an utsedha-yojana.
- utsedhāṅgula,
- ātmāṅgula,
- pramāṇāṅgula
These three finger-measures (aṅgula) were used for measuring heights of bodies and idols, lengths of items of utility and lands, land and sea distances as well as astronomical distances.
Source: OpenEdition books: VividhatīrthakalpaḥAṅgula (अङ्गुल) refers to a unit of measurement roughly corresponding to one inch (2 cm.), and represents a Jaina technical term mentioned in the Vividhatīrthakalpa by Jinaprabhasūri (13th century A.D.): an ancient text devoted to various Jaina holy places (tīrthas).

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
India history and geography
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryAṅgula.—(IE 8-6), a linear measure equal to the breadth of the middle finger. Note: aṅgula is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
See also (synonyms): Aṅguli.

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryaṅgula : (nt.) an inch; a finger-breadth. (adj.), (in cpds:) measuring so many inches.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryAṅgula, (Vedic aṅgula, lit. “limblet” see aṅga for etym.) 1. a finger or toe M.I, 395 (vaṅk’ aṅgulaṇ karoti to bend the fingers, v. l. aṅguliṇ); A.III, 6 (id.); J V 70 (goṇ° adj. with ox toes, expld. by C. as with toes like an ox’s tail; vv. ll. °aṅguṭṭha and °aṅgulī). — 2. a finger as measure, i. e. a finger-breadth, an inch Vin.II, 294, 306 (dvaṅgula 2 inches wide); Mhvs 19, 11 (aṭṭh°); DhA.III, 127 (ek°).

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryaṅgula (अंगुल).—n (S) A measure of eight barleycorns joined side by side. 2 The measure of a finger's breadth.
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aṅgūḷa (अंगूळ).—n A measure. See aṅgula.
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āṅgūḷa (आंगूळ).—n (aṅgula S) A measure of eight barleycorns joined side by side. 2 The measure of a finger's breadth. 3 m f n (See agūḷa) A snood.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishaṅgula (अंगुल) [-ḷa, -ळ].—n The measure of a finger's breadth.
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āṅguḷa (आंगुळ).—n The measure of a finger's breadth.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryAṅgula (अङ्गुल).—[aṅg-ul]
1) A finger.
2) The thumb, अङ्गौ पाणौ लीयते (aṅgau pāṇau līyate) (n. also).
3) A finger's breadth (n. also), equal to 8 barley-corns, 12 Aṅgulas making a वितस्ति (vitasti) or span, and 24 a हस्त (hasta) or cubit; शङ्कुर्दशाङ्गुलः (śaṅkurdaśāṅgulaḥ) Ms. 8.271.
4) (Astr.) A digit or 12th part.
5) Name of the sage Chāṇakya or Vātsyāyana.
Derivable forms: aṅgulaḥ (अङ्गुलः).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryAṅgula (अङ्गुल).—m.
(-laḥ) 1. The thumb. 2. A finger. 3. A measure of eight barley corns. 4. The name of a saint. See vātsyāyana. 5. A digit, or onetwelvth part of any dimension. E. aṅga to count and ula aff.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryAṅgula (अङ्गुल).— (from a lost base, aṅgu) m. 1. A finger’s breadth as a linear measure. 2. A substitute for aṅguli at the end of many comp. words: e. g. daśāṅgula, i. e. daśan-, adj. Ten fingers long, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 8, 271.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryAṅgula (अङ्गुल).—[masculine] [neuter] a thumb’s breadth.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Aṅgula (अङ्गुल):—m. (√ag or aṅg), a finger
2) the thumb
3) a finger’s breadth, a measure equal to eight barley-corns, twelve aṅgulas making a vitasti or span, and twenty-four a hasta or cubit
4) (in [astronomy]) a digit, or twelfth part
5) Name of the sage Cāṇakya, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
6) Āṅgula (आङ्गुल):—mf(ī)n. sticking to the fingers, [Baudhāyana-dharma-śāstra]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Goldstücker Sanskrit-English DictionaryAṅgula (अङ्गुल):—I. m. (and according to one authority also n.)
(-laḥ -lam) 1) A finger.
2) The thumb.
3) A finger’s breadth, as a linear measure, viz. a measure of eight barley corns joined side by side in breadth or of three grains of rice in length. Twelve angulas make a vitasti or span, and twenty-four a hasta or cubit.
4) (In astronomy.) A digit or one twelfth part of any dimension, subdivided into sixty vyangulas. E. aṅgula is considered by the gramm. authorities as a substitute of aṅguli, as which it ought to occur only at the end of certain [tatpurusha compound], derived then with samāsānta aff. ac and at the end of certain [bahuvrihi compound], derived with samāsānta aff. ṣac. In both cases it is a neutre. The native dictionaries however state as above. Ii. m.
(-laḥ) A proper name of the sage Chāṇakya. E. aṅg, uṇ. aff. ulan(?).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryAṅgula (अङ्गुल):—(laḥ) 1. m. Thumb, finger; measure of eight barley corns.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Aṅgula (अङ्गुल) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Aṃgula.
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Prakrit-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionaryAṃgula (अंगुल) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Aṅgula.
Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusAṃgula (ಅಂಗುಲ):—
1) [noun] one of the five terminal points of the hand; a finger.
2) [noun] the largest of the five fingers of the hand; the thumb.
3) [noun] the breadth of a finger, as a measure.
4) [noun] the twelfth part of a foot equal to 2.54 cm.; an inch.
5) [noun] a unit of measure of rainfall equal to the amount that covers a surface to the height of one inch.
6) [noun] amount of atmospheric pressure needed to balance the weight of a column of mercury one inch high.
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Aṃguḷa (ಅಂಗುಳ):—[noun] = ಅಂಗುಳು [amgulu].
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Aṃguḷa (ಅಂಗುಳ):—[noun] = ಅಂಗುಲ [amgula].
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Source: unoes: Nepali-English DictionaryAṅgula (अङ्गुल):—n. 1. a finger; 2. the thumb; 3. a measurement equal to a finger's breadth;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Anga, Ula, Anka.
Starts with: Angulaka, Angulakala, Angulalakshana, Angulamana, Angulamatra, Angulanguli, Angulantarika, Angulapramana, Angularaji, Angulatika, Angulatthi, Angulavedhem, Angulika, Ankulam, Ankulatoanam.
Full-text (+380): Pancangula, Caturangula, Dvadashangula, Dvyangula, Matrangula, Vyangula, Tryangula, Dashangula, Atyangula, Shadangula, Nirangula, Manangula, Angushtha, Hasta, Vitasti, Angulamana, Kishku, Angulaka, Mushtyangula, Angulapramana.
Relevant text
Search found 99 books and stories containing Angula, Amgula, Aṃgula, Aṃguḷa, Anga-ula, Aṅga-ula, Aṅgula, Aṅgūḷa, Aṅgūla, Āṅgūḷa, Āṅgūla, Āṅguḷa, Āṅgula, Aṅguḷa; (plurals include: Angulas, Amgulas, Aṃgulas, Aṃguḷas, ulas, Aṅgulas, Aṅgūḷas, Aṅgūlas, Āṅgūḷas, Āṅgūlas, Āṅguḷas, Āṅgulas, Aṅguḷas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Vastu-shastra (Introduction to Indian architecture) (by D. N. Shukla)
(iii) Proportionate measurements (Māna, Aṅgula, Hasta) < [Chapter 6 - Fundamental Canons of Hindu Architecture]
(i) Orientation of Buildings (Diṇnirṇaya or Prācī-sādhana) < [Chapter 6 - Fundamental Canons of Hindu Architecture]
Chapter 9 - House-decorations and other Equipments < [Volume 3 - House Architecture]
Kashyapa Shilpa-shastra (study) (by K. Vidyuta)
4. Technicalities (a): Mānāṅgula Measurements < [Chapter 2 - Author and his Works]
3. Description of Pillars in the Maṇḍapas < [Chapter 4 - Maṇḍapa Lakṣaṇa]
4.4. Māna (proportionate measurements) < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
Agni Purana (by N. Gangadharan)
Chapter 44 - Characteristics of the image of Vāsudeva
Chapter 39 - Preparations of ground for constructing temples
Chapter 88 - Mode of initiation which secures Nirvāṇa (liberation from existence)
Manasara (English translation) (by Prasanna Kumar Acharya)
Chapter 6 - The rules for erecting gnomoms and pegs
Chapter 55 - The Jain images (jaina-lakṣaṇa)
Chapter 50 - The bodily ornaments and house-furniture (bhūṣaṇa)
Shukra Niti by Shukracharya (by Benoy Kumar Sarkar)
Vishnudharmottara Purana (Art and Architecture) (by Bhagyashree Sarma)
7(a): Portrait of Men and Women < [Chapter 5 - Painting and Image Making]
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