Arthashastra — Adhyakshaprachara, Sutra 14

Devanagari script

कालायसताम्रवृत्तकंससीसत्रपुवैकृन्तकारकूटानि लोहानि ॥ कZ_०२.१७.१४ ॥

Transliteration

kālāyasatāmravṛttakaṃsasīsatrapuvaikṛntakārakūṭāni lohāni

Translation

Kabilang sa mga metal ang: itim na bakal, tanso, vṛtta, bronse (kaṃsa), tingga, lata (trapu), vaikṛntaka, at kārakūṭa.

Word by Word

• kāla-āyasa: black iron
• Type: Noun
• Root: āyas(a)
• Form: n. nom./acc. pl.; head: āyasa (iron); qualifier: kāla (black)

• tāmra: copper
• Type: Noun
• Root: tāmra
• Form: n. nom./acc. pl.

• vṛtta: “vṛtta” (a named metal/alloy)
• Type: Noun (used as metal-name)
• Root: vṛtta
• Form: n. nom./acc. pl.

• kaṃsa: bronze / bell-metal
• Type: Noun
• Root: kaṃsa
• Form: n. nom./acc. pl.

• sīsa: lead
• Type: Noun
• Root: sīsa
• Form: n. nom./acc. pl.

• trapu: tin
• Type: Noun
• Root: trapu
• Form: n. nom./acc. pl.

• vaikṛntaka: “vaikṛntaka” (a named metal/alloy)
• Type: Noun (metal-name)
• Root: vaikṛntaka
• Form: n. nom./acc. pl.

• ārakūṭa: “ārakūṭa” (a named metal/alloy)
• Type: Noun (metal-name)
• Root: ārakūṭa
• Form: n. nom./acc. pl.

• lohāni: metals
• Type: Noun
• Root: loha
• Form: n. nom./acc. pl. (ending -āni)

Entities Mentioned

• kālāyasa
• tāmra
• kaṃsa
• sīsa
• trapu
• vaikṛntaka
• kārakūṭa

More Details

FAQs

Why would a governance manual specify metal types?

Metals underpin coinage, weapons, tools, and public works; specifying types supports standardized valuation, procurement contracts, and workshop audits.