Adhyaya 14

Sutra 1

सौवर्णिकः पौरजानपदानां रूप्यसुवर्णमावेशनिभिः कारयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.१४.०१ ॥

The state goldsmith/assayer (sauvarṇika) shall have townsmen and country people transact in silver and gold through official receiving/verification deposits (āveśa) under regulated procedures.

Sutra 2

निर्दिष्टकालकार्यं च कर्म कुर्युः अनिर्दिष्टकालं कार्यापदेशम् ॥ कZ_०२.१४.०२ ॥

They shall perform work with a specified time and objective; for work without a specified time, they shall proceed only on a formally stated assignment (kāryāpadeśa).

Sutra 3

कार्यस्यान्यथाकरणे वेतननाशः तद्द्विगुणश्च दण्डः ॥ कZ_०२.१४.०३ ॥

If the assigned work is done in a manner other than prescribed, the wage is forfeited, and a fine double that (wage) is imposed.

Sutra 4

कालातिपातने पादहीनं वेतनं तद्द्विगुणश्च दण्डः ॥ कZ_०२.१४.०४ ॥

For delay beyond the stipulated time, the wage is reduced by one quarter, and a fine double that (reduced wage amount) is imposed.

Sutra 5

यथावर्णप्रमाणं निक्षेपं गृह्णीयुस्तथाविधमेवार्पयेयुः ॥ कZ_०२.१४.०५ ॥

They shall accept deposits according to their stated color/grade and measured quantity, and they shall return exactly the same kind (grade and measure).

Sutra 6

कालान्तरादपि च तथाविधमेव प्रतिगृह्णीयुः अन्यत्र क्षीणपरिशीर्णाभ्याम् ॥ कZ_०२.१४.०६ ॥

Even after an interval of time, they shall receive back (or accept for return) the very same kind—except where there is diminution (loss) or wear-and-tear.

Sutra 7

आवेशनिभिः सुवर्णपुद्गललक्षणप्रयोगेषु तत्तज्जानीयात् ॥ कZ_०२.१४.०७ ॥

By identifying marks and by applying tests of gold and bullion characteristics, one should ascertain each item’s specific identity/quality.

Sutra 8

तप्तकलधौतकयोः काकणिकः सुवर्णे क्षयो देयः ॥ कZ_०२.१४.०८ ॥

For gold that is heated and washed/cleaned, a loss allowance of one kākaṇikā is to be granted.

Sutra 9

तीक्ष्णकाकणी रूप्यद्विगुणः रागप्रक्षेपः तस्य षड्भागः क्षयः ॥ कZ_०२.१४.०९ ॥

For the addition of ‘tīkṣṇa-kākaṇī’ (a sharp/strong additive) and for silver added in double measure as a colouring/alloying admixture, one-sixth of that admixture is allowable as process loss.

Sutra 10

वर्णहीने माषावरे पूर्वः साहसदण्डः प्रमाणहीने मध्यमः तुलाप्रतिमानोपधाव् उत्तमः कृतभाण्डोपधौ च ॥ कZ_०२.१४.१० ॥

For deficiency in grade/colour (quality) or for a shortfall of a māṣa, the lowest amercement for fraud is imposed; for deficiency in standard measure, the middle amercement; and for fraud involving scales/standard weights or in tampering with manufactured vessels, the highest amercement.

Sutra 11

सौवर्णिकेनादृष्टमन्यत्र वा प्रयोगं कारयतो द्वादशपणो दण्डः ॥ कZ_०२.१४.११ ॥

If a goldsmith is made to perform a process not inspected/approved (by the superintendent) or to do it elsewhere (off-site), a fine of twelve paṇas is imposed on the one who causes it to be done.

Sutra 12

कर्तुर्द्विगुणः सापसारश्चेत् ॥ कZ_०२.१४.१२ ॥

For the actual perpetrator, the penalty is double; and if there is absconding, (the case is treated as aggravated).

Sutra 13

अनपसारः कण्टकशोधनाय नीयेत ॥ कZ_०२.१४.१३ ॥

One who does not make restitution (i.e., does not return what was taken or set right the loss) shall be taken up for kaṇṭakaśodhana—formal action for the suppression of market-offenders.

Sutra 14

कर्तुश्च द्विशतो दण्डः पणच्छेदनं वा ॥ कZ_०२.१४.१४ ॥

And the perpetrator shall be fined two hundred paṇas, or else be subjected to paṇacchedana (cutting/confiscation of the monetary amount).

Sutra 15

तुलाप्रतिमानभाण्डं पौतवहस्तात्क्रीणीयुः ॥ कZ_०२.१४.१५ ॥

Balances, standard weights/measures, and measuring-vessels should be purchased from the hand/office of the Pautava (state superintendent of weights and measures).

Sutra 16

अन्यथा द्वादशपणो दण्डः ॥ कZ_०२.१४.१६ ॥

Otherwise (if done contrary to this), the fine is twelve paṇas.

Sutra 17

घनं सुषिरं सम्यूह्यमवलेप्यं संघात्यं वासितकं च कारुकर्म ॥ कZ_०२.१४.१७ ॥

Craft-work (used in deceptive fabrication) includes: making (objects) solid, hollow, compacted/packed, coated/plastered over, joined/laminated, and perfumed/treated (to mask).

Sutra 18

तुलाविषममपसारणं विस्रावणं पेटकः पिङ्कश्चेति हरणोपायाः ॥ कZ_०२.१४.१८ ॥

Means of pilferage include: imbalance/manipulation of the scale, diversion/withdrawing (part of the goods), leakage/draining, the ‘box’ trick (peṭaka), and the ‘piṅka’ trick—these are methods of taking away.

Sutra 19

सम्नामिन्युत्कीर्णिका भिन्नमस्तकोपकण्ठी कुशिक्या सकटुकक्ष्या परिवेल्यायस् कान्ता च दुष्टतुलाः ॥ कZ_०२.१४.१९ ॥

The following are tampered balances: samnāminī, utkīrṇikā, bhinnamastakopakaṇṭhī, kuśikyā, sakaṭukakṣyā, parivelyā, ayas-kāntā—these are “corrupt scales”.

Sutra 20

रूप्यस्य द्वौ भागावेकः शुल्बस्य त्रिपुटकम् ॥ कZ_०२.१४.२० ॥

For silver: two parts (silver) to one part copper—this is called tripuṭaka.

Sutra 21

तेनाकरोद्गतमपसार्यते तत्त्रिपुटकापसारितम् ॥ कZ_०२.१४.२१ ॥

By that (tripuṭaka mixture), what has come out of the mine is “drawn off/extracted” (i.e., diminished); that is called tripuṭaka-apasārita (tripuṭaka-debased/shortened).

Sutra 22

शुल्बेन शुल्बापसारितम् वेल्लकेन वेल्लकापसारितं शुल्बार्धसारेण हेम्ना हेमापसारितम् ॥ कZ_०२.१४.२२ ॥

If diminished by copper, it is śulbāpasārita (“copper-debased”); if by vellaka, vellakāpasārita (“vellaka-debased”); if by gold with half copper-content (śulbārdhasāra), it is hemāpasārita (“gold-debased”).

Sutra 23

मूकमूषा पूतिकिट्टः करटुकमुखं नाली संदंशो जोङ्गनी सुवर्चिकालवणं तदेव सुवर्णमित्यपसारणमार्गाः ॥ कZ_०२.१४.२३ ॥

“Mute crucible,” foul slag, a ‘snout-mouthed’ (concealed-outlet) device, tube, tongs, a siphon-like implement, and ‘suvarcikā’ salt—these are the routes/methods by which (gold) is illicitly removed while it is still being represented as ‘that very gold.’

Sutra 24

पूर्वप्रणिहिता वा पिण्डवालुका मूषाभेदादग्निष्ठादुद्ध्रियन्ते ॥ कZ_०२.१४.२४ ॥

Previously planted pellets of sand (or sand lumps) are retrieved by breaking the crucible or by taking them out from the furnace/hearth.

Sutra 25

पश्चाद्बन्धने आचितकपत्त्रपरीक्षायां वा रूप्यरूपेण परिवर्तनं विस्रावणम् पिण्डवालुकानां लोहपिण्डवालुकाभिर्वा ॥ कZ_०२.१४.२५ ॥

Later—at the stage of sealing/binding, or during inspection of layered metal-leaf—there is substitution by giving the appearance of silver; and there is draining/leakage by replacing sand pellets with iron pellets (or iron-sand lumps).

Sutra 26

गाढश्चाभ्युद्धार्यश्च पेटकः सम्यूह्यावलेप्यसंघात्येषु क्रियते ॥ कZ_०२.१४.२६ ॥

A strong (tightly sealed) box and also a ‘lift-out’ (removable-core) box are used in the operations of stacking, coating, and compacting (metal).

Sutra 27

सीसरूपं सुवर्णपत्त्रेणावलिप्तमभ्यन्तरमष्टकेन बद्धं गाढपेटकः ॥ कZ_०२.१४.२७ ॥

A ‘tight box’ is one in which a lead-like form is coated with gold leaf, and the interior is fastened with an octagonal (or eight-part) binding.

Sutra 28

स एव पटलसम्पुटेष्वभ्युद्धार्यः ॥ कZ_०२.१४.२८ ॥

That same (device/arrangement) is also made as a ‘lift-out’ (removable) one within layered casings/envelopes.

Sutra 29

पत्त्रमाश्लिष्टं यमकपत्त्रं वावलेप्येषु क्रियते ॥ कZ_०२.१४.२९ ॥

In coated articles, the leaf is applied as an adhered single leaf, or else as a double/paired leaf (yamakapattra).

Sutra 30

शुल्बं तारं वा गर्भः पत्त्राणां संघात्येषु क्रियते ॥ कZ_०२.१४.३० ॥

In leaf-laminated compactions, copper or wire is made the ‘core’ (garbha) inside (i.e., the interior is base metal while the exterior is leaf).

Sutra 31

शुल्बरूपं सुवर्णपत्त्रसंहतं प्रमृष्टं सुपार्श्वम् तदेव यमकपत्त्रसंहतं प्रमृष्टं ताम्रताररुपं चोत्तरवर्णकः ॥ कZ_०२.१४.३१ ॥

A copper-shaped piece, laminated with gold leaf, polished, and with well-finished sides; likewise one laminated with double leaf (yamakapattra) and polished; and likewise a copper-wire form—these are ‘higher-color’ (made to appear of superior hue/grade).

Sutra 32

तदुभयं तापनिकषाभ्यां निह्शब्दोल्लेखनाभ्यां वा विद्यात् ॥ कZ_०२.१४.३२ ॥

Both types should be identified by heating and by touchstone-testing, or by soundless scraping and engraving tests.

Sutra 33

अभ्युद्धार्यं बदराम्ले लवणोदके वा सादयन्ति । इति पेटकः ॥ कZ_०२.१४.३३ ॥

‘Abhyuddhārya’ (a separable/adulterant component) is made to settle down in jujube-sour solution or in salt-water—thus (is the method called) peṭaka.

Sutra 34

घने सुषिरे वा रूपे सुवर्णमृन्मालुकाहिङ्गुलुककल्पो वा तप्तोऽवतिष्ठते ॥ कZ_०२.१४.३४ ॥

In a dense (solid) form or in a hollow form, a preparation of “gold-clay,” or sand, or a hiṅgula-like mixture remains evident when heated.

Sutra 35

दृढवास्तुके वा रूपे वालुकामिश्रं जतु गान्धारपङ्को वा तप्तोऽवतिष्ठते ॥ कZ_०२.१४.३५ ॥

In a firm-structured form/casting, resin mixed with sand, or “Gāndhāra mud/paste,” remains evident when heated.

Sutra 36

तयोस्तापनमवध्वंसनं वा शुद्धिः ॥ कZ_०२.१४.३६ ॥

For those adulterants, purification consists of heating (to separate) or complete destruction/removal.

Sutra 37

सपरिभाण्डे वा रूपे लवणमुल्कया कटुशर्करया तप्तमवतिष्ठते ॥ कZ_०२.१४.३७ ॥

In a form/casting with attachments or fittings, salt—(or) “alka/ulkā” and pungent sugar—remains evident when heated.

Sutra 38

तस्य क्वाथनं शुद्धिः ॥ कZ_०२.१४.३८ ॥

For that, purification is by boiling.

Sutra 39

अभ्रपटलमष्टकेन द्विगुणवास्तुके वा रूपे बध्यते ॥ कZ_०२.१४.३९ ॥

A mica sheet is to be bound/packaged as an «aṣṭaka» unit, or in a double-structured (two-layer) form.

Sutra 40

तस्यापिहितकाचकस्योदके निमज्जत एकदेशः सीदति पटलान्तरेषु वा सूच्या भिद्यते ॥ ॥

For that object sealed with a glass cover: when immersed in water, one part sinks; or, between the layers it is pierced with a needle (to test).

Sutra 41

मणयो रूप्यं सुवर्णं वा घनसुषिराणां पिङ्कः ॥ कZ_०२.१४.४१ ॥

Gemstones, silver, or gold—whether made dense or hollow—fall under the category termed «piṅka».

Sutra 42

तस्य तापनमवध्वंसनं वा शुद्धिः । इति पिङ्कः ॥ कZ_०२.१४.४२ ॥

For that «piṅka»-class item, purification is by heating or by complete destruction/removal—thus is (the method/class) piṅka.

Sutra 43

तस्माद्वज्रमणिमुक्ताप्रवालरूपाणां जातिरूपवर्णप्रमाणपुद्गललक्षणान्युपलभेत ॥ कZ_०२.१४.४३ ॥

Therefore, one should ascertain—by direct examination—the class, shape, colour, measurement, material substance, and distinguishing marks of diamonds, gems, pearls, coral, and similar valuables.

Sutra 44

कृतभाण्डपरीक्षायां पुराणभाण्डप्रतिसंस्कारे वा चत्वारो हरणोपायाः परिकुट्टनमवच्छेदनमुल्लेखनं परिमर्दनं वा ॥ कZ_०२.१४.४४ ॥

In inspecting finished articles, or in refurbishing old articles, there are four methods of theft: chipping (parikuṭṭana), cutting out (avacchedana), scraping (ullekhana), and rubbing/polishing-away (parimardana).

Sutra 45

पेटकापदेशेन पृषतं गुणं पिटकां वा यत्परिशातयन्ति तत्परिकुट्टनम् ॥ कZ_०२.१४.४५ ॥

When, under the pretext of a ‘case/box’ (packaging), they chip off a small portion—whether a thread/strand, a piece, or a unit—this is called chipping (parikuṭṭana).

Sutra 46

यद्द्विगुणवास्तुकानां वा रूपे सीसरूपं प्रक्षिप्याभ्यन्तरमवच्छिन्दन्ति तदवच्छेदनम् ॥ कZ_०२.१४.४६ ॥

When, in articles (including composite/laminated ones), they insert a lead-like substitute in the exterior form and cut out (remove) the interior material, that is cutting-out (avacchedana).

Sutra 47

यद्घनानां तीक्ष्णेनोल्लिखन्ति तदुल्लेखनम् ॥ कZ_०२.१४.४७ ॥

When they scrape solid articles with a sharp tool to remove material, that is scraping (ullekhana).

Sutra 48

हरितालमनःशिलाहिङ्गुलुकचूर्णानामन्यतमेन कुरुविन्दचूर्णेन वा वस्त्रं सम्यूह्य यत्परिमृद्नन्ति तत्परिमर्दनम् ॥ कZ_०२.१४.४८ ॥

When, using cloth charged with powders such as orpiment, realgar, cinnabar, or kuruvinda-powder, they rub an article so that material is worn away, that is rubbing-away (parimardana).

Sutra 49

तेन सौवर्णराजतानि भाण्डानि क्षीयन्ते न चैषां किंचिदवरुग्णं भवति ॥ कZ_०२.१४.४९ ॥

By such rubbing-away, gold and silver vessels diminish in substance, yet no visible damage or breakage appears on them.

Sutra 50

भग्नखण्डघृष्टानां सम्यूह्यानां सदृशेनानुमानं कुर्यात् ॥ कZ_०२.१४.५० ॥

For items that are broken, chipped, or rubbed down, and for items combined/aggregated, one should estimate the proper quantity or value by comparison with a similar standard specimen.

Sutra 51

अवलेप्यानां यावदुत्पाटितं तावदुत्पाट्यानुमानं कुर्यात् ॥ कZ_०२.१४.५१ ॥

For coated or plated articles, one should estimate the loss according to how much of the coating has been stripped off.

Sutra 52

विरूपाणां वा तापनमुदकपेषणं च बहुशः कुर्यात् ॥ कZ_०२.१४.५२ ॥

For articles of irregular appearance (suspect/defective), one should repeatedly apply tests such as heating and grinding in water.

Sutra 53

अवक्षेपः प्रतिमानमग्निर्गण्डिका भण्डिकाधिकरणी पिञ्छः सूत्रं चेल्लं बोल्लनं शिर उत्सङ्गो मक्षिका स्वकायेक्षा दृतिरुदकशरावमग्निष्ठमिति काचं विद्यात् ॥ कZ_०२.१४.५३ ॥

He should recognize (as signs/tests for) defective glass (kāca) the following: settling/precipitation, failure to meet standard measure/weight, fire-test reactions, nodules/lumps, brittleness/fragmentation, feather-like streaks, thread-like lines, cloth-like film, bubble-like swelling, head-like protrusion, sagging, fly-specks, visual self-inspection of the glass body, blistering/skin-like peeling, the water-bowl test, and fire-residue/slag—thus one should identify glass.

Sutra 54

राजतानां विस्रं मलग्राहि परुषं प्रस्तीनं विवर्णं वा दुष्टमिति विद्यात् ॥ कZ_०२.१४.५४ ॥

He should recognize silver as defective when it is foul-smelling, attracts/retains dirt, feels rough, is over-hardened/brittle, or is discolored.

Sutra 55

परीक्षेतात्ययं चैषां यथोद्दिष्टं प्रकल्पयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.१४.५५च्द् ॥

He should examine the deterioration/loss in these goods and assess it according to the prescribed rules.