Arthashastra — Adhyakshaprachara, Sutra 36

Devanagari script

शेषाः काचमणयः ॥ कZ_०२.११.३६ ॥

Transliteration

śeṣāḥ kācamaṇayaḥ

Translation

残りの（劣等／未特定の）石はすべて「ガラスの宝石」（練り物／模造品）として扱う。

Word by Word

• शेषाः: the remaining (ones); the rest
• Type: Noun/Adjective
• Root: शेष
• Form: प्रथमा-बहुवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः (विशेषणवत् प्रयोगः)

• काचमणयः: glass beads; glass gems
• Type: Noun
• Root: मणि (पूर्वपद: काच)
• Form: प्रथमा-बहुवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; समासः: काचाः मणयः = काचमणयः

Entities Mentioned

• kācamaṇi (glass gem/imitation)

More Details

FAQs

Why does Kauṭilya classify ‘the rest’ as kācamaṇayaḥ?

To create a default legal category for items that do not meet recognized gem standards, simplifying valuation, taxation, and fraud enforcement.

What administrative purpose does this one-line rule serve?

It prevents sellers from marketing unverified stones as precious gems and gives officials a clear basis to downgrade, price, or penalize.