Arthashastra — Adhyakshaprachara, Sutra 26

Devanagari script

मणिमध्यं वा मणिसोपानकम् ॥ कZ_०२.११.२६ ॥

Transliteration

maṇimadhyaṃ vā maṇisopānakam

Translation

রত্ন-জড়াই হয় ‘মণিমধ্য’—যেখানে রত্নটি কেন্দ্রে থাকে—অথবা ‘মণিসোপানক’—যেখানে রত্নগুলি সিঁড়ি/স্তরাকারে সাজানো থাকে।

Word by Word

• मणिमध्यम्: a central setting/inlay of a gem; (lit.) “the middle/center of a gem”
• Type: Noun (compound)
• Root: मणि + मध्य
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा/द्वितीया; ‘मणेः मध्यम्’ = मणिमध्यम्

• वा: or
• Type: Particle
• Root: वा
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्ययम्

• मणिसोपानकम्: a gem-set ‘step-like’ arrangement/ornament; a stepped setting with gems
• Type: Noun (compound)
• Root: मणि + सोपानक
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा/द्वितीया; ‘मणिभिः/मणियुक्तं सोपानकम्’ (मणि-युक्तं सोपानक-रूपम्)

Entities Mentioned

• maṇi (gem)

More Details

FAQs

Why does the Arthashastra specify design-types like ‘maṇimadhya’ and ‘maṇisopānaka’ in a governance text?

Because design typologies support standardized description for appraisal, procurement, taxation/accounting, and fraud detection in state-supervised luxury production and trade.