Arthashastra — Adhyakshaprachara, Sutra 104

Devanagari script

सौवर्णकुड्यकं सूर्यवर्णं मणिस्निग्धोदकवानं चतुरश्रवानं व्यामिश्रवानं च ॥ कZ_०२.११.१०४ ॥

Transliteration

sauvarṇakuḍyakaṃ sūryavarṇaṃ maṇisnigdhodakavānaṃ caturaśravānaṃ vyāmiśravānaṃ ca

Translation

सौवर्णकुड्यक वस्त्र सूर्य-स्वर्ण रंग का होता है, मणि-सा चिकना-चमकीला और ‘उदकवान’ (अच्छी तरह परिष्कृत/उपचारित) होता है; तथा बुनावट में चतुरश्र-नक़्शेदार और मिश्रित-नक़्शेदार भी होता है।

Word by Word

• सौवर्णकुड्यकम्: having a golden (gold-like) ‘kudyaka’ appearance/texture
• Type: Noun (Adjective used substantively)
• Root: कुड्यक
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा/द्वितीया; विशेषणरूपेण (वर्णनम्)

• सूर्यवर्णम्: sun-coloured; having the colour/lustre of the sun
• Type: Noun (Adjective)
• Root: वर्ण
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा/द्वितीया; विशेषणम्

• मणिस्निग्धोदकवानम्: possessing water (clarity/shine) that is smooth and lustrous like a gem
• Type: Noun (Adjective)
• Root: वत् (प्रत्यय) / उदक
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा/द्वितीया; विशेषणम्; ‘-वान्/वत्’ = ‘युक्त/सम्पन्न’

• चतुरश्रवानम्: having a four-sided (quadrangular) form
• Type: Noun (Adjective)
• Root: चतुरश्र
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा/द्वितीया; विशेषणम्; ‘चतुरश्र’ = चतुर्भुज/समचतुरस्राकार

• व्यामिश्रवानम्: having a well-blended/consistent mixture (uniformly mixed)
• Type: Noun (Adjective)
• Root: व्यमिश्र
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा/द्वितीया; विशेषणम्; ‘व्यमिश्र’ = सम्यग् मिश्रित/समवर्णित/समघन

• च: and
• Type: Particle
• Root: च
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्ययम्

Entities Mentioned

• state textile stores (implied)

More Details

FAQs

Why combine color, finish, and structural descriptors in one line?

Because procurement acceptance and valuation require a multi-attribute specification: visible color, tactile finish, and measurable weave/pattern.

What is the administrative intent of ‘caturaśra’ and ‘vyāmiśra’?

To lock down the permitted structure/pattern so suppliers cannot deliver cheaper variants while claiming the same name.