Arthashastra — Adhyakshaprachara, Sutra 67

Devanagari script

आन्तरवत्यमुशीरवर्णम् ॥ कZ_०२.११.६७ ॥

Transliteration

āntaravatyamuśīravarṇam

Translation

‘ଆନ୍ତରବତ୍ୟ’ ଉଶୀର (ଖସ-ସଦୃଶ) ବର୍ଣ୍ଣର।

Word by Word

• आन्तरवत्यम्: having an inner (core/portion); with an interior (distinct from the outer part)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आन्तरवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: विशेषण; नपुंसकलिङ्ग; एकवचन; प्रथमा/द्वितीया (प्रयोगानुसारम्)

• उशीरवर्णम्: of the color of uśīra (vetiver); vetiver-colored
• Type: Noun (used adjectivally)
• Root: उशीर + वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; एकवचन; प्रथमा/द्वितीया; समासः—उशीरस्य वर्णः (उशीरवर्ण)

Entities Mentioned

• Āntaravatya (commodity variety)
• Uśīra (vetiver; reference standard)

More Details

FAQs

Why does the text compare a commodity’s colour to another plant (uśīra)?

To provide an operational reference for inspectors—anchoring grading to a commonly known benchmark reduces discretion and disputes in valuation.