Where the bestowal of honour for deserving merit is contemplated either as help to alleviate affliction (ddhi) or as gift (pariddna), there are issued writs of gift (upagrahalekha).
Whatever favour (anugraha) to special castes, cities, villages, or countries of various description is announced in obedience to the 98 Kautilya's Arthashastra king's order, it is called writ of remission (parihdralekha) by those who know it.
Likewise licence or permission (nisrishti) shall be enjoined either in word or deed; accordingly it is styled verbal order or writ of licence.
Various kinds of providential visitations or well ascertained evils of human make are believed to be the cause for issuing writs of guidance (pravrittilekha) to attempt remedies against them.
When having read a letter and discussed as to the form of reply thereto, a reply in accordance with the king's order is made, it is called a writ of reply (pratilekha).
When the king directs his viceroys (isvard) and other officers to protect and give material help to travellers either on roads or in the interior of the country, it is termed writ of general proclamation (sarvatraga lekha) Negotiation, bribery, causing dissension, and open attack are forms of stratagem (updya).
Negotiation is of five kinds: — Praising the qualities (of an enemy), narrating the mutual relationship, pointing out mutual benefit, showing vast future prospects, and identity of interests.
When the family, person, occupation, conduct, learning, properties, etc. (of an enemy) are commended with due attention to their worth, it is termed praising the qualities (gunasankirthana).
When the fact of having agnates, blood-relations, teachers (maukha), priestly heirarchy (srauva), family, and friends in 99 Kautilya's Arthashastra common is pointed out, it is known as narration of mutual relationship (sambandhopakhydna).
When both parties, the party of a king and that of his enemy are shown to be helpful to each other, it is known as pointing out mutual benefit (parasparopakdrasamdarsanam).
Inducement such as 'this being done thus, such result will accrue to both of us,' is showing vast future prospects (Aydtipradarsanam).
To say 'what I am, that thou art; thou mayest utilize in thy works whatever is mine,' is identity of interests (dtmopanidhdnam).
Offering money is bribery (upapraddna).
Causing fears and suspicion as well as threatening is known as sowing dissension.
Killing, harassing, and plundering is attack (danda). Clumsiness, contradiction, repetition, bad grammar, and misarrangement are the faults of a writ.
Black and ugly leaf, (kdlapatrakamachdru) and uneven and uncoloured (yirdga) writing cause clumsiness (akdnti).
Subsequent portion disagreeing with previous portion of a letter, causes contradiction (vydghdta).
Stating for a second time what has already been said above is repetition.
Wrong use of words in gender, number, time and case is bad Kautilya's Arthashastra grammar (apasabda).
Division of paragraphs (varga) in unsuitable places, omission of necessary division of paragraphs, and violation of any other necessary qualities of a writ constitute misarrangement (samplava).
Having followed all sciences and having fully observed forms of writing in vogue, these rules of writing royal writs have been laid down by Kautilya in the interest of kings.
[Thus ends Chapter X, "The Procedure of Forming Royal Writs," in Book II, "The Duties of Government Superintendents," of the Arthasdstra of Kautilva. End of thirty-first chapter from the beginning.]
CHAPTER XI. EXAMINATION OF GEMS THAT ARE TO BE ENTERED INTO THE TREASURY.
THE Superintendent of the treasury shall, in the presence of qualified persons, admit into the treasury whatever he ought to, gems (ratna) and articles of superior or inferior value.
Tdmraparnika, that which is produced in the tdmraparni; Pdndyakavdtaka, that which is obtained in Pdndyakavata; Pdsikya, that which is produced in the Pdsa; Kauleya, that which is produced in the kula; Chaurneya, that which is produced in the Churna; Mahendra, that which is obtained near the mountain of Mahendra; Kdrdamika, that which is produced in the Kdrdama; Srautasiya, that which is produced in the Srotasi; Hrddiya, that which is produced in (a deep pool of water known as) Hrada; and Kautilya's Arthashastra Haimavata, that which is obtained in the vicinity of the Himalayas are the several varieties of pearls.
Oyster-shells, conch-shells, and other miscellaneous things are the wombs of pearls.
That which is like masura (ervum hirsutam), that which consists of three joints (triputaka), that which is like a tortoise (kiirmaka), that which is semi-circular, that which consists of several coatings, that which is double (ydmaka), that which is scratched, that which is of rough surface, that which is possessed of spots (siktakam), that which is like the water-pot used by an ascetic, that which is of dark-brown or blue colour, and that which is badly perforated are inauspicious.
That which is big, circular, without bottom (nistalam), brilliant, white, heavy, soft to the touch, and properly perforated is the best.
Sirshaka, upasirshaka, prakdndaka, avaghdtaka, and taralapratibandha are several varieties of pearl necklaces.
One thousand and eight strings of pearls form the necklace, Indrachchhanda.
Half of the above is Vijayachchhanda.
Sixty-four strings make up Ardhahdra.
Fifty-four strings make up Rasmikaldpa.
Kautilya's Arthashastra Thirty-two strings make up Guchchha.
Twenty-seven strings make up Nakshatramdla.
Twenty-four strings make up Ardhaguchchha.
Twenty strings make up Mdnavaka.
Half of the above is Ardhamdnavaka.
The same necklaces with a gem at the centre are called by the same names with the words 'Mdnavaka1 suffixed to their respective names.
When all the strings making up a necklace are of sirshaka pattern, it is called pure necklace (suddhahdra); likewise with strings of other pattern. That which contains a gem in the centre is (also) called Ardhamdnavaka.
That which contains three slab-like gems (triphalaka) or five slab-like gems (panchaphalaka) in the centre is termed Phalakahdra.
An only string of pearls is called pure Ekdvali; the same with a gem in the centre is called Yashti; the same variegated with gold globules is termed Ratndvali.
A string made of pearls and gold globules alternately put is called Apavartaka.
Kautilya's Arthashastra Strings of pearls with a gold wire between two strings is called Sopdnaka.
The same with a gem in the centre is called Manisopdnaka.
The above will explain the formation of head-strings, bracelets, anklets, waist-bands, and other varieties.
Kauta, that which is obtained in the Kiita; Mauleyaka, that which is found in the Miileya; and Paras amudraka, that which is found beyond the ocean are several varieties of gems.
That which possesses such pleasant colour as that of the red lotus flower, or that of the flower of Pdrijdta (Erithrina Indica), or that of the rising sun is the Saugandhika gem.
That which is of the colour of blue lotus flower, or of sirisha (Acacia Sirisa), or of water, or of fresh bamboo, or of the colour of the feathers of a parrot is the Vaidurya gem Pushy ardga, Gomutraka, and Gomedika are other varieties of the same.
That which is characterised with blue lines, that which is of the colour of the flower of Kaldya (a kind of phraseolus), or which is intensely blue, which possesses the colour of Jambu fruit (rose apple), or which is as blue as the clouds is the Indranila gem; Nandaka (pleasing gem), Sravanmadhya (that which appears to pour water from its centre), Sitavrishti (that which appears to pour cold shower), and Suryakdnta (sunstone) are other forms of gems.
Gems are hexagonal, quadrangular, or circular possessed of dazzling glow, pure, smooth, heavy, brilliant, transparent (antargataprabha) and illuminating; such are the qualities of gems.
Faint colour, sandy layer, spots, holes, bad perforation, and Kautilya's Arthashastra scratches are the defects of gems.
Vimalaka (pure), sasyaka (plant-like), Anjanamulaka (deep-dark), Pittaka (like the bile of a cow) Sulabhaka (easily procurable), Lohitaka (red), Amritdmsuka (of white rays), Jyotirasaka (glowing), Maileyaka, Ahichchhatraka, (procured in the country of Ahichchhatra), Kurpa, Putikurpa, and Sugandhikurpa, Kshirapaka, Suktichurnaka (like the powder of an oystershell), Sildpravdlaka (like coral), Pulaka, Sukrapulaka are varieties of inferior gems.
The rest are metalic beads (kdchamani).
Sabhdrdshtraka, that which is found in the country of Sabhdrdshtra; Madhyamardshtraka, that which is found in the Central Province; Kdsmaka, that which is found in the country of Kdsmaka; Srikatanaka, that which is found in the vicinity of the mountain, Vedotkata; Manimantaka, that which is found near the mountain Maniman or Manimanta; and Indravdnakd are diamonds.
Mines, streams, and other miscellaneous places are their sources.
The colour of a diamond may be like that of a cat's eye, that of the flower of Sirisha (Acacia Sirisa), the urine of a cow, the bile of a cow, like alum (sphatika), the flower of Mdlati, or like that of any of the gems (described above).
That which is big, heavy, hard (prahdrasaham, tolerant of hitting), regular (samakona), capable of scratching on the surface of vessels (bhdjanalekhi), refractive of light (kubrdmi), and brilliant is the best.
That which is devoid of angles, uneven (nirasrikam), and Kautilya's Arthashastra bent on one side (pdrsvdpavrittam) is inauspicious.
Alakandaka, and Vaivarnaka are the two varieties of coral which is possessed of ruby-like colour, which is very hard, and which is free from the contamination of other substances inside.
Sdtana is red and smells like the earth; Gosirshaka is dark red and smells like fish; Harichandana is of the colour of the feathers of a parrot and smells like tamarind or mango fruit; likewise Tdrnasa; Grdmeruka is red or dark red and smells like the urine of a goat; Daivasabheya is red and smells like a lotus flower; likewise Aupaka (Jdpaka); Jongaka and Taurupa are red or dark red and soft; Maleyaka is reddish white; Kuchandana is as black as Agaru (resin of the aloe) or red or dark red and very rough; Kdla-parvataka is of pleasant appearance; Kosdkaraparvataka (that which is the product of that mountain which is of the shape of a bud) is black or variegated black; Sitodakiya is black and soft, and smells like a lotus-flower; Ndgaparvataka (that which is the product of Naga mountain) is rough and is possessed of the colour of Saivala (Vallisneria); and Sdkala is brown.
Light, soft, moist (asydna, not dry), as greasy as ghee, of pleasant smell, adhesive to the skin, of mild smell, retentive of colour and smell, tolerant of heat, absorptive of heat, and comfortable to the skin— these are the characteristics of sandal (chandana).
(As to) Agaru (Agallochum, resin of aloe): — Jongaka is black or variegated black and is possessed of variegated spots; Dongaka is black; and Pdrasamudraka is of variegated colour and smells like cascus or like Navamdlika (jasminum).
Kautilya's Arthashastra (Agaru is) heavy, soft, greasy, smells far and long, burns slowly, gives out continuous smoke while burning, is of uniform smell, absorbs heat, and is so adhesive to the skin as not to be removable by rubbing; — these are the characteristics of Agaru.
(As to) Tailaparnika: — Asokagrdmika, the product of Asokagrdma, is of the colour of meat and smells like a lotus flower; Jongaka is reddish yellow and smells like a blue lotus flower or like the urine of a cow; Grameruka is greasy and smells like a cow's urine; Sauvarnakudyaka, product of the country of Suvarnakudya, is reddish yellow and smells like Mdtulunga (the fruit of citron tree or sweet lime); Purnadvipaka, the product of the island, Purnadviipa, smells like a lotus flower or like butter; Bhadrasriya and Pdralauhityaka are of the colour of nutmeg; Antarvatya is of the colour of cascus,— the last two smell like Kushtha (Costus Speciosus); Kaleyaka which is a product of Svarna-bhumi, gold-producing land, is yellow and greasy; and Auttaraparvataka (a product of, the north mountain) is reddish yellow.
The above (fragrant substances) are commodities of superior value (Sara).
The smell of the Tailaparnika substances is lasting, no matter whether they are made into a paste or boiled or burnt; also it is neither changed nor affected even when mixed with other substances; and these substances resemble sandal and Agallochum in their qualities.
Kdntandvaka, Praiyaka, and Auttara-parvataka are the varieties of skins.
Kdntandvaka is of the colour of the neck of the peacock; Praiyaka is variegated with blue, yellow, and white spots; these Kautilya's Arthashastra two are eight angulas (inches) long.
Also Bisi and Mahdbisi are the products of Dvddasagrdma, twelve villages.
That which is of indistinct colour, hairy, and variegated (with spots) is (called) Bisi.
That which is rough and almost white is Mahdbisi (great Bisi); These two are twelve angulas long.
Sydmika, Kdlika, Kadali, Chandrottara, and Sdkuld are (other kinds of skins) procured from Aroha (Arohaja).
Sydmika is brown and contains variegated spots; Kdlika is brown or of the colour of a pigeon; these two are eight angulas long. Kadali is rough and two feet long; when Kadali bears variegated moonlike spots, it is called Chandrottarakadali and is one-third of its length; Sdkuld is variegated with large round spots similar to those that manifest themselves in a kind of leprosy (kushtha), or is furnished with tendrils and spotted like a deer's skin.
Sdmura, Chinasi, and Sdmuli are (skins procured from Bdhlava, (Bahlaveya).
Sdmura is thirty-six angulas long and black; Chinasi is reddish black or blackish white; Sdmuli is of the colour of wheat.
Sdtina, Nalatula, and Vrittapuchchha are the skins of aquatic animals (Audra).
Sdtina is black; Nalatula is of the colour of the fibre of Nala, a kind of grass; and Vrittapuchchha (that which possesses a round tail) is brown.
Kautilya's Arthashastra The above are the varieties of skins.
Of skins, that which is soft, smooth and hairy is the best.
Blankets made of sheep's wool may be white, purely red, or as red as a lotus flower. They may be made of worsted threads by sewing (khachita); or may be woven of woollen threads of various colour (vdnachitra); or may be made of different pieces (khandasanghdtya); or may be woven of uniform woollen threads (tantuvichchhinna).
Woollen blankets are (of ten kinds): — Kambala, Kauchapaka, Kulamitika, Saumitika, Turagastarana, Varnaka, Talichchhaka, Vdravdna, Paristoma, and Samantabhadraka.
Of these, that which is slippery (pichchhila) as a wet surface, possessed of fine hair, and soft, is the best.
That (blanket) which is made up of eight pieces and black in colour is called Bhingisi used as rain-proof; likewise is Apasdraka; both are the products of Nepal.
Samputika, Chaturasrika, Lambara, Katavdnaka, Pravdraka, and Sattalika are (blankets made of) the wool of wild animals.
That which is manufactured in the country, Vanga (vangaka) is a white and soft fabric (dukula); that of Pdndya manufacture (Paundraka) is black and as soft as the surface of a gem; and that which is the product of the country, Suvarnakudya, is as red as the sun, as soft as the surface of the gem, woven while the threads are very wet, and of uniform (chaturasra) or mixed texture (vydmisravdna).
Kautilya's Arthashastra Single, half, double, treble and quadruple garments are varieties of the same.
The above will explain other kinds of fabrics such as Kdsika, Benarese products, and Kshauma which is manufactured in Pdndya (Paundraka).
Mdgadhika (product of the Magadha country), Paundraka, and Sauvarnakudyaka are fibrous garments.
Ndgavriksha (a species of a tree), Likucha (Artocarpus Lakucha), and Vakula (Mimusops Elengi), and Vata (Ficus Indica) are the sources (of their fibres).
That of Ndgavriksha is yellow (pita); that of Likucha is of the colour of wheat; that of Vakula is white; and the rest is of the colour of butter.
Of these, that which is produced in the country of Suvarnakudya is the best.
The above will explain the fabrics known as kauseya, silk-cloth, and chinapatta, fabrics of China manufacture.
Of cotton fabrics, those of Madhura, of Apardnta, western parts, of Kdlinga, of Kdsi, of Vanga, of Vatsa, and of Mahisha are the best.
As to other kinds of gems (which are not treated of here), the superintendent shall ascertain their size, their value, species, form, utility, their treatment, the repair of old ones, any adulteration that is not easily detected, their wear and tear due to lapse of time and place, as well as remedies against those which are inauspicious (himsra).
Kautilya's Arthashastra [Thus ends Chapter XI, "Examination of Gems that are to be entered into the Treasury," in Book II, "The Duties of Government Superintendents" of the Arthasdstra of Kautilya. End of thirty-second chapter from the beginning.]
CHAPTER XII. CONDUCTING MINING OPERATIONS AND MANUFACTURE.
POSSESSED of the knowledge of the science dealing with copper and other minerals (Sulbddhdtusdstra), experienced in the art of distillation and condensation of mercury (rasapdka) and of testing gems, aided by experts in mineralogy and equipped with mining labourers and necessary instruments, the superintendent of mines shall examine mines which, on account of their containing mineral excrement (kitta), crucibles, charcoal, and ashes, may appear to have been once exploited or which may be newly discovered on plains or mountain- slopes possessing mineral ores, the richness of which can be ascertained by weight, depth of colour, piercing smell, and taste.
Liquids which ooze out from pits, eaves, slopes, or deep excavations of well-known mountains; which have the colour of the fruit of rose-apple (jambu), of mango, and of fanpalm; which are as yellow as ripe turmeric, sulphurate of arsenic (haritdla), honeycomb, and vermilion; which are as resplendent as the petals of a lotus, or the feathers of a parrot or a peacock; which are adjacent to (any mass of) water or shrubs of similar colour; and which are greasy (chikkana), transparent (visada), and very heavy are ores of gold (kdnchanika). Likewise liquids which, when dropped on water, spread like oil to which dirt and filth adhere, and which amalgamate themselves more than cent per cent (satddupari Kautilya's Arthashastra veddhdrah) with copper or silver.
Of similar appearance as the above (tatpratirupakam), but of piercing smell and taste is Bitumen.
Those ores which are obtained from plains or slopes of mountains; which are either yellow or as red as copper or reddish yellow; which are disjoined and marked with blue lines; which have the colour of black beans (masha, Phraseolus Radiatus), green beans (mudga, Phraseolus Mungo), and sesamum; which are marked with spots like a drop of curd and resplendent as turmeric, yellow myrobalan, petals of a lotus, acquatic plant, the liver or the spleen; which possess a sandy layer within them and are marked with figures of a circle or a svastika; which contain globular masses (sagulika); and which, when roasted do not split, but emit much foam and smoke are the ores of gold (suvarnadhdtavah), and are used to form amalgams with copper or silver (prativdpdrthaste stdmrarupyavedhardh).
Those ores which have the colour of a conch-shell, camphor, alum, butter, a pigeon, turtle-dove, Vimalaka (a kind of precious stone), or the neck of a peacock; which are as resplendent as opal (sasyaka), agate (gomedaka), cane-sugar (guda), and granulated sugar (matsyandika) which has the colour of the flower of koviddra (Bauhinia Variegata), of lotus, of patali (Bignonia Suaveolens), of kalaya (a kind of phraseolus), of kshauma (flax), and of atasi (Dinuin Usitatissimum); which may be in combination with lead or iron (anjana); which smell like raw meat, are disjoined gray or blackish white, and are marked with lines or spots; and which, when roasted, do not split, but emit much foam and smoke are silver ores.
The heavier the ores, the greater will be the quantity of metal in them (satvavriddhih).
Kautilya's Arthashastra The impurities of ores, whether superficial or inseparably combined with them can be got rid of and the metal melted when the ores are (chemically) treated with Tikshna urine (mutra) and alkalies (kshdra), and are mixed or smeared over with the mixture of (the powder of) Rajavriksha (Clitoria Ternatea), Vata (Ficus Indica), and Pelu (Carnea Arborea), together with cow's bile and the urine and dung of a buffalo, an ass and an elephant.
(Metals) are rendered soft when they are treated with (the powder of) kandali (mushroom), and vajrakanda, (Antiquorum) together with the ashes of barley, black beans, paldsa (Butea Frondosa), and pelu (Carnea Arborea), or with the milk of both the cow and the sheep. Whatever metal is split into a hundred thousand parts is rendered soft when it is thrice soaked in the mixture made up of honey (madhu), madhuka (Bassia Latifolia), sheep's milk, sesamum oil, clarified butter, jaggery, kinva (ferment) and mushroom.
Permanent softness (mridustambhana) is also attained when the metal is treated with the powder of cow's teeth and horn.
Those ores which are obtained from plains or slopes of mountains; and which are heavy, greasy, soft, tawny, green, dark, bluish-yellow (harita), pale-red, or red are ores of copper.
Those ores which have the colour of kdkamechaka (Solarium Indica), pigeon, or cow's bile, and which are marked with white lines and smell like raw meat are the ores of lead.
Those ores which are as variegated in colour as saline soil or which have the colour of a burnt lump of earth are the ores of tin.
Those ores which are of orange colour (kurumba), or pale-red (pdndurohita), or of the colour of the flower of sinduvdra (Vitex Trifolia) are the ores of tikshna.
Kautilya's Arthashastra Those ores which are of the colour of the leaf of kdnda (Artemisia Indica) or of the leaf of birch are the ores of vaikrintaka.
Pure, smooth, efflugent, sounding (when struck), very hard (satativrah), and of little colour (tanurdga) are precious stones.
The yield of mines may be put to such uses as are in vogue.
Commerce in commodities manufactured from mineral products shall be centralized and punishment for manufacturers, sellers, and purchasers of such commodities outside the prescribed locality shall also be laid down.
A mine-labourer who steals mineral products except precious stones shall be punished with a fine of eight times their value.
Any person who steals mineral products or carries on mining operations without license shall be bound (with chains) and caused to work (as a prisoner).
Mines which yield such minerals as are made use of in preparing vessels (bhdnda) as well as those mines which require large outlay to work out may be leased out for a fixed number of the shares of the output or for a fixed rent (bhdgena prakrayena va) Such mines as can be worked out without much outlay shall be directly exploited (by Government agency).
The superintendent of metals (lohddhyakshah) shall carry on the manufacture of copper, lead, tin, vaikrintaka (mercury [?]), drakuta (brass), vritta(7); kamsa (bronze or bell-metal), tdla (sulphurate of arsenic), and lodhra (?), and also of commodities (bhdnda) from them.
The superintendent of mint (lakshnddhyakshah), shall carry Kautilya's Arthashastra on the manufacture of silver coins (rupyarupa) made up of four parts of copper and one- sixteenth part (mdsha) of any one of the metals, tikshna, trapu, sisa, and anjana. There shall be apana, half apana, a quarter and one-eighth.
Copper coins (tdmrarupa) made up of four parts of an alloy (pddajivam), shall be a mdshaka, half a mdshaka, kdkani and half a kdkani.
The examiner of coins (rupadarsaka) shall regulate currency both as a medium of exchange (yydvahdrikim) and as legal tender admissible into the treasury (kosapravesydm): The premia levied on coins paid into the treasury shall be) 8 per cent, known as rupika, 5 per cent known as vydji, one-eighth pana per cent as pdrikshika (testing charge), besides (cha) a fine of 25 pana to be imposed on offenders other than the manufacturer, the seller, the purchaser and the examiner.
The superintendent of ocean-mines (khanyadhyakshah) shall attend to the collection of conch-shells, diamonds, precious stones, pearls, corals, and salt (kshdra) and also regulate the commerce in the above commodities.
Soon after crystalisation of salt is over, the superintendent of salt shall in time collect both the money-rent (prakraya) and the quantity of the shares of salt due to the government; and by the sale of salt (thus collected as shares) he shall realise not only its value (mulyam), but also the premium of five per cent (vydjim), both in cash (rupa).
Imported salt (dgantulavanam) shall pay one-sixth portion (shadbhdga) to the king. The sale of this portion (bhdgavibhdga) shall fetch the premia of five per cent (vydji), of eight per cent (rupika) in cash (rupa). The purchasers shall pay not only the toll Kautilya's Arthashastra (sulka), but also the compensation (vaidharana) equivalent to the loss entailed on the king's commerce. In default of the above payment, he shall be compelled to pay a fine of 600 panas.
Adulteration of salt shall be punished with the highest amercement; likewise persons other than hermits (ydnaprastha) manufacturing salt without license.
Men learned in the Vedas, persons engaged in penance, as well as labourers may take with them salt for food; salt and alkalies for purposes other than this shall be subject to the payment of toll.
Thus; besides collecting from mines the ten kinds of revenue, such as (1) value of the out-put (mulyd), (2) the share of the out-put (vibhdga), (3) the premium of five per cent (vydji), (4) the testing charge of coins (parigha), (5) fine previously announced (atyaya), (6) toll (sulka), (7) compensation for loss entailed on the king's commerce (vaidharana), (8) fines to be determined in proportion to the gravity of crimes (danda), (9), coinage (rupa), (10) the premium of eight per cent (rupika), the government shall keep as a state monopoly both mining and commerce (in minerals).
Thus taxes (mukhasangraha) on all commodities intended for sale shall be prescribed once for all.
[Thus ends Chapter XII, "Conducting Mining Operations and Manufacture" in Book II, "The Duties of Government Superintendents" of the Arthasdstra of Kautilya. End of thirty-third chapter from the beginning.]
CHAPTER XIII. SUPERINTENDENT OF GOLD IN THE GOLDSMITH'S OFFICE.
Kautilya's Arthashastra IN order to manufacture gold and silver jewellry, each being kept apart, the superintendent of gold shall have a goldsmiths office (akshasdla) consisting of four rooms and one door.
In the centre of the high road a trained, skilful goldsmith of high birth and of reliable character shall be appointed to hold his shop.
Jdmbiinada, that which is the product of the river, Jambu; Sdtakumbha, that which is extracted from the mountain of Satakumba; Hdtaka, that which is extracted from the mines known as Hdtaka; Vainava, that which is the product of the mountain, Venu; and Sringasuktija, that which is extracted from sringasukti (?) are the varieties of gold.
(Gold may be obtained) either pure or amalgamated with mercury or silver or alloyed with other impurities as mine gold (dkarodgata).
That which is of the colour of the petals of a lotus, ductile, glossy, incapable of making any continuous sound (anddi), and glittering is the best; that which is reddish yellow (raktapita) is of middle quality; and that which is red is of low quality.