Arthashastra — Adhyakshaprachara, Sutra 20

Devanagari script

त्रिफलकः फलकहारः पञ्चफलको वा ॥ कZ_०२.११.२० ॥

Transliteration

triphalakaḥ phalakahāraḥ pañcaphalako vā

Translation

「phalaka-hāra」（板状／パネル状の首飾り）は三枚（triphalaka）、または五枚（pañcaphalaka）である。

Word by Word

• त्रिफलकः: having three planks/boards; a three-planked (item)
• Type: Noun (adjectival)
• Root: फल
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; संख्यापूर्वक-समासः; विशेषणरूपेण (त्रि-फलक-युक्तः)

• फलकहारः: plank/board carrier (or the designated ‘harā’ associated with planks/boards)
• Type: Noun (agent noun)
• Root: हृ (√हृ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; हार = ‘हरति’ इति (कर्तृवाचक-प्रातिपदिकम्)

• पञ्चफलको: having five planks/boards; a five-planked (item)
• Type: Noun (adjectival)
• Root: फल
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; ‘पञ्चफलकः’ इत्यस्य पदान्ते ‘वा’ परे ओ-आदेशः (सन्ध्यन्तररूपम्: पञ्चफलको)

• वा: or
• Type: Particle
• Root: वा
• Form: अव्ययम्; विकल्पार्थक-निपातः

Entities Mentioned

• phalakahāra (panel necklace)

More Details

FAQs

Why is the number of panels important administratively?

Panel count correlates with material quantity and labor, enabling standardized costing, billing, and inventory control.

What does ‘vā’ indicate for regulation?

Recognized alternative standard forms—both are legitimate categories for trade and state acceptance.