Chapter 2.17 turns the forest into a governed revenue-and-supply organ by standardizing what is collected, how it is recorded, and how losses and exceptions are controlled. Forests are treated as state assets feeding kośa, workshops, and the army—not as unmanaged wilderness. Procurement is institutional: rangers/units collect and deliver under supervision. A detailed commodity taxonomy enables pricing, storage, issue, and audit. Loss-allowances formalize permissible wastage and expose theft as variance. Receivables/arrears ledgers stabilize cashflow and reduce corruption. Emergency exceptions exist, but must remain legible to later review. State capacity rises: predictable inputs, disciplined accounts, and preserved long-term productivity.
Sutra 1
कुप्याध्यक्षो द्रव्यवनपालैः कुप्यमानाययेत् ॥ कZ_०२.१७.०१ ॥
The Superintendent of Forest Produce should have forest produce (kupya) brought in through the forest-guards of the revenue forests.
Sutra 2
द्रव्यवनकर्मान्तांश्च प्रयोजयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.१७.०२ ॥
He should also operate the work-establishments (karmānta) of the revenue forests.
Sutra 3
द्रव्यवनच्छिद्रां च देयमत्ययं च स्थापयेदन्यत्रापद्भ्यः ॥ कZ_०२.१७.०३ ॥
He should record both leakages/losses in the revenue forests and the remissions/abatements of what is due—except in cases of calamity.
Sutra 4
कुप्यवर्गः शाकतिनिशधन्वनार्जुनमधूकतिलकसालशिंशपारिमेदराजादनशिरीषखदिरसरलतालसर्जाश्वकर्णसोमवल्ककुशाम्रप्रियकधवादिः सारदारुवर्गः ॥ कZ_०२.१७.०४ ॥
The ‘kupya’ category includes the class of heartwood/timber (sāradāru), such as: śākati, niśā, dhanvana, arjuna, madhūka, tilaka, sāla, śiṃśapā, rimeda, rājādana, śirīṣa, khadira, sarala, tāla, sarja, aśvakarṇa, somavalka, kuśāmra, priyaka, dhava, and others.
Sutra 5
उटजचिमियचापवेणुवंशसातिनकण्टकभाल्लूकादिर्वेणुवर्गः ॥ कZ_०२.१७.०५ ॥
The bamboo class (veṇu-varga) includes uṭaja, cimiya, cāpa, veṇu, vaṃśa, sātina, kaṇṭaka, bhāllūka, and others.
Sutra 6
वेत्रशीकवल्लीवाशीश्यामलतानागलतादिर्वल्लीवर्गः ॥ कZ_०२.१७.०६ ॥
Reed (vetra), śīka, vallī, vāśī, śyāmalatā, nāgalatā, and similar creepers constitute the ‘creeper category’ (to be listed/managed as a class of materials).
Sutra 7
मालतीमूर्वार्कशणगवेधुकातस्यादिर्वल्कवर्गः ॥ कZ_०२.१७.०७ ॥
Mālatī, mūrvā, arka, śaṇa, gavedhukā, tasya, and similar bark/fibre-yielding plants constitute the “bark (valka) category”.
Sutra 8
मुञ्जबल्बजादि रज्जुभाण्डम् ॥ कZ_०२.१७.०८ ॥
Rope-ware (cordage goods) is made from muñja, balbaja, and similar materials.
Sutra 9
तालीतालभूर्जानां पत्त्रम् ॥ कZ_०२.१७.०९ ॥
Leaves/sheets (for writing/packaging) are obtained from tālī, tāla, and bhūrja.
Sutra 10
किंशुककुसुम्भकुङ्कुमानां पुष्पम् ॥ कZ_०२.१७.१० ॥
Flowers (as commodities—especially for dye/perfume/ritual supply) include those of kiṃśuka, kusumbha, and kuṅkuma.
Sutra 11
कन्दमूलफलादिरौषधवर्गः ॥ कZ_०२.१७.११ ॥
Bulbs/tubers, roots, fruits, and similar items constitute the “medicinal-drug category”.
Sutra 12
कालकूटवत्सनाभहालाहलमेषशृङ्गमुस्ताकुष्ठमहाविषवेल्लितकगौरार्द्रबालकमार्कटहैमवतकालिङ्गकदारदकाङ्कोलसारकोष्ट्रकादीनि विषाणि सर्पाः कीटाश्च त एव कुम्भगताः विषवर्गः ॥ कZ_०२.१७.१२ ॥
Kālakūṭa, vatsanābha, hālāhala, meṣaśṛṅga, mustā, kuṣṭha, mahāviṣa, vellitaka, gaura, ārdrabālaka, mārkaṭa, haimavata, kāliṅga, dārada, kāṅkola, sāraka, koṣṭraka, and the like—together with serpents and insects of those kinds when kept in jars—constitute the “poison category”.
Sutra 13
गोधासेरकद्वीप्यृक्षशिंशुमारसिंहव्याघ्रहस्तिमहिषचमरसृमरखड्गगोमृगगवयानां चर्मास्थिपित्तस्नाय्वक्षिदन्तशृङ्गखुरपुच्छानि अन्येषां वापि मृगपशुपक्षिव्यालानाम् ॥ कZ_०२.१७.१३ ॥
From animals such as iguana, seraka, leopard, bear, śiṃśumāra (dolphin/crocodilian), lion, tiger, elephant, buffalo, yak/camara, deer, rhinoceros, wild ox (gomṛga), and gavaya—as well as other wild animals, domesticated animals, birds, and beasts of prey—hides, bones, bile, sinews, eyes, teeth, horns, hooves, and tails are (accounted as) commodities.
Sutra 14
कालायसताम्रवृत्तकंससीसत्रपुवैकृन्तकारकूटानि लोहानि ॥ कZ_०२.१७.१४ ॥
Metals include black iron, copper, vṛtta, bronze (kaṃsa), lead, tin (trapu), vaikṛntaka, and kārakūṭa.
Sutra 15
विदलमृत्तिकामयं भाण्डम् ॥ कZ_०२.१७.१५ ॥
Vessels/containers (storehouse ware) are made of split material (vidala) and of clay (mṛttikā).
Sutra 16
अङ्गारतुषभस्मानि मृगपशुपक्षिव्यालवाटाः काष्ठतृणवाटाश्च । इति ॥ कZ_०२.१७.१६ ॥
Charcoal, husk, and ash; enclosures for deer, livestock, birds, and dangerous animals; and depots for timber and grass—these (are to be maintained/organized).
Sutra 17
आजीवपुररक्षार्थाः कार्याः कुप्योपजीविना ॥ कZ_०२.१७.१७च्द् ॥
For safeguarding livelihoods and protecting the city, the requisite works/arrangements shall be carried out by those who earn their living from such commodities (kupyopajīvin).
Stable public revenue and predictable supplies (timber, fibers, drugs, metals) for state works reduce price shocks, enable infrastructure and defense provisioning, and curb predatory over-harvesting—supporting long-run prosperity and order.
Implied: accountability is enforced through the chidrā and deyam-atyaya records—losses beyond the established allowance (except in āpadaḥ) are treated as official fault/misappropriation, triggering recovery and punitive action under general Arthāśāstra rules for embezzlement and negligence.