Arthashastra — Adhyakshaprachara, Sutra 14

Devanagari script

सधनुर्मुष्टिः कुष्कुः कंसो वा ॥ कZ_०२.२०.१४ ॥

Transliteration

sadhanurmuṣṭiḥ kuṣkuḥ kaṃso vā

Translation

சதனுர்முஷ்டி என்பதற்கு ‘குஷ்கு’ அல்லது ‘கம்ச’ என்றும் பெயர்.

Word by Word

• सधनुर्मुष्टिः: a ‘bow-equipped fist/hand-grip’; a fist/hold used together with a bow
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुष्टि
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, स्त्रीलिङ्गः; समासः—स-धनुः-मुष्टिः (सह/युक्त + धनुस्)

• कुष्कुः: ‘kuṣku’—a specific weapon/implement (technical term)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुष्कु
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुल्लिङ्गः (शब्दः प्रायः आयुध/उपकरण-नाम)

• कंसः: ‘kaṃsa’—a specific implement/weapon (lit. metal vessel; here technical)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कंस
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुल्लिङ्गः

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

Entities Mentioned

• sadhanurmuṣṭi
• kuṣku
• kaṃsa

More Details

FAQs

Why would a state text care about alternate names for a measure?

To prevent disputes and deliberate ambiguity in procurement, land measurement, and engineering specifications.