Arthashastra — Adhyakshaprachara, Sutra 19

Devanagari script

मणिमध्योऽर्धमाणवकः ॥ कZ_०२.११.१९ ॥

Transliteration

maṇimadhyo 'rdhamāṇavakaḥ

Translation

நடுவில் மணியுள்ள மாலை ‘அர்த்தமாணவக’ எனப்படும்.

Word by Word

• मणि-मध्यः: having the jewel (mani) in the middle; jewel-centered
• Type: Noun (compound used adjectivally)
• Root: मणि; मध्य
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; विशेषणरूपेण (…अर्धमाणवकः इत्यस्य)

• अर्ध-माणवकः: the half-māṇavaka (a half unit/item called māṇavaka)
• Type: Noun (compound)
• Root: अर्ध; माणवक
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; मुख्यपदम्

Entities Mentioned

• maṇi (gem)
• ardhamāṇavaka (graded subtype)

More Details

FAQs

Why introduce a ‘half’ category (ardha-)?

To encode intermediate quality/value bands so that pricing, wages, and procurement can match finer differences in material/workmanship.

How does grading support anti-fraud enforcement?

It reduces ambiguity—sellers cannot pass a lower grade as a higher one when categories are officially defined.