Sutra 56

Devanagari script

लघु स्निग्धमश्यानं सर्पिःस्नेहलेपि गन्धसुखं त्वगनुसार्यनुल्बणमविराग्युष्णसहं दाहग्राहि सुखस्पर्शनमिति चन्दनगुणाः ॥ कZ_०२.११.५६ ॥

Transliteration

laghu snigdhamaśyānaṃ sarpiḥsnehalepi gandhasukhaṃ tvaganusāryanulbaṇamavirāgyuṣṇasahaṃ dāhagrāhi sukhasparśanam iti candanaguṇāḥ

Translation

The qualities of sandalwood are: light; unctuous; not overly hard-set; it takes on a coating of ghee/oil; its fragrance is pleasant; the scent persists on the skin without being overpowering; it does not lose colour; it withstands heat; it readily yields its essence when rubbed; and it has a pleasant touch.

Word by Word

लघुlight (in weight/quality)

स्निग्धम्unctuous, oily, smooth

अश्यानम्not congealed; not hardened

सर्पिःghee, clarified butter

स्नेहoil; unctuous substance

लेपिfit for smearing; having the property of being applied as a paste/ointment

गन्धsmell, fragrance

सुखम्pleasant (in smell)

त्वक्skin

अनुसारिskin-adhering; following/remaining on the skin

अनुल्बणम्not excessive; not overpowering

अविरागिnot causing discoloration; non-staining

उष्णheat; hot

सहम्withstanding heat; heat-resistant

दाहburning; irritation

ग्राहिalleviating burning; counteracting irritation

सुखpleasant

स्पर्शनम्pleasant to the touch; agreeable contact

इतिthus; as follows

चन्दनsandalwood

गुणाःqualities, properties

Entities Mentioned

candana (sandalwood)

sarpiḥ (ghee)

sneha (oil/unctuous substance)

FAQs

Why does Kautilya list sensory qualities (touch, smell, heat tolerance) for sandalwood?

To create actionable procurement and inspection standards so officials can grade lots, detect inferior material/adulteration, and price or tax reliably.

What is the administrative intent behind 'tvaganusārin anulbaṇam'?

A stable, non-overpowering fragrance indicates genuine quality and reduces dispute in valuation; it functions as a practical acceptance criterion.