Arthashastra — Adhyakshaprachara, Sutra 17

Devanagari script

अच्छः स्निग्धः सप्रभो घोषवान् शीतस्तीव्रस्तनुरागश्च मणिधातुः ॥ कZ_०२.१२.१७ ॥

Transliteration

acchaḥ snigdhaḥ saprabho ghoṣavān śītastīvrastanurāgaśca maṇidhātuḥ

Translation

ৰত্ন-ধাতু (মণি-অয়স্ক) স্বচ্ছ, মসৃণ, দীপ্তিময়, আঘাত কৰিলে ধ্বনি হোৱা, স্পৰ্শত শীতল, কঠিন/তীক্ষ্ণ আৰু সামান্য ৰঙৰ আভাযুক্ত।

Word by Word

• अच्छः: clear, pure (in appearance)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अच्छ
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; विशेषणम् (मणिधातोः)

• स्निग्धः: smooth, glossy, unctuous (lustrous)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्निग्ध
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; विशेषणम् (मणिधातोः)

• सप्रभः: having radiance; lustrous
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स-प्रभ
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; विशेषणम् (मणिधातोः)

• घोषवान्: sonorous; producing a ringing sound
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घोषवत्
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; विशेषणम् (मणिधातोः)

• शीतः: cool to the touch
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शीत
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; विशेषणम् (मणिधातोः)

• तीव्रः: sharp, intense (in brilliance/quality)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तीव्र
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; विशेषणम् (मणिधातोः)

• तनुरागः: having a thin/slight tint (faint coloration)
• Type: Adjective (used substantively)
• Root: तनु-राग
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; विशेषणम् (मणिधातोः)

• च: and
• Type: Particle
• Root: च
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्ययम्

• मणिधातुः: gem-ore; gem-bearing mineral/vein (source of gems)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मणि-धातु
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; मुख्यपदम्

Entities Mentioned

• Gem-ore (maṇidhātu)
• Mine officials/appraisers

More Details

FAQs

What does ‘ghoṣavān’ imply in gem evaluation?

A practical test: a good stone/ore gives a clear ring or sound, indicating density/quality and helping detect inferior material.

How do these traits support governance?

They enable uniform valuation, protect treasury revenue, and reduce disputes/corruption in procurement.