Arthashastra — Adhyakshaprachara, Sutra 16

Devanagari script

काकाण्डभुजपत्त्रवर्णो वा वैकृन्तकधातुः ॥ कZ_०२.१२.१६ ॥

Transliteration

kākāṇḍabhujapattravarṇo vā vaikṛntakadhātuḥ

Translation

বৈকৃন্তক ধাতু (আকর) কাকের ডিমের রঙের মতো, অথবা ভুজপত্র (ভোজপত্র/বার্চ) পাতার রঙের মতো।

Word by Word

• काकाण्डभुजपत्त्रवर्णः: (It is) of the colour of a crow’s egg / like the colour of the ‘bhujapattra’ (a leaf) of a crow’s egg (i.e., a specific dark/greyish hue used for identification).
• Type: Noun (Adjective used predicatively)
• Root: वर्ण
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिसदृश-विशेषणरूपेण ‘वैकृन्तकधातुः’ इति पदं विशेषयति; समासे अवयवाः: काक-अण्ड-भुज-पत्त्र-वर्ण (काकाण्डस्य भुजपत्त्रस्य इव वर्णः)

• वा: or
• Type: Particle
• Root: वा
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय; ‘either/or’

• वैकृन्तकधातुः: the ore/mineral called ‘vaikṛntaka’.
• Type: Noun
• Root: धातु
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन; समासः: वैकृन्तक-धातुः (वैकृन्तक-नामकस्य धातुः/खनिजः)

Entities Mentioned

• Ākara (mine) administration
• Vaikṛntaka ore

More Details

FAQs

Why does the text define an ore by color comparisons?

To standardize field identification for state officials and reduce substitution/fraud in mine output reporting and procurement.

What is the administrative intent of naming ‘vaikṛntaka’?

To create a recognized category for inventory, pricing, processing rules, and accountability in mining operations.