Lectures on Ancient Indian Numismatics (Carmichael Lectures, 1921) c9.15

Language: English

c9.15.1

It will thus be seen that one of the senses of the word *rūpa* or *rūpaka* is ‘coin’ and that the Rūpa-sūtra, mentioned by Buddhaghosha, can very well signify “the science or art of coinage.” But it is worthy of note that side by side with *rūpa* we have another term, *viz.* *rūpya* which also is employed in the sense of ‘a coin.’ This word must have been current even prior to Pāṇini as he teaches its formation in the well-known Sūtra *rūpād=āhata-praśamsayor=yap*.¹ The Sūtra says that the affix *ya* comes in the sense of *matup*, after the word *rūpa*, when *āhata* (stamping) or *praśamsā* (praise) is denoted. Thus *rūpyo (gauḥ)* means *praśastam rūpam=asy=āsti*, *i.e.* one with a praiseworthy form; in other words, it means a good-looking bull. This is an instance of the word *rūpya* when *praśamsā* or praise is intended. But then what is the instance of this word where *āhata* or stamping is denoted? Unfortunately for us this Sūtra is not commented upon by Kātyāyana or Patañjali, and the Kāśikākāra is the first grammarian whose gloss is available to us. Nevertheless even this gloss is of great importance. And in regard to the use of the term *rūpya* where the sense of *āhata*, *i.e.* of ‘hammering or stamping’ is intended, we are given the following instances: *āhatam rūpam asya rūpyo Dīnāraḥ rūpyaḥ Kedāraḥ rūpyam Kārshāpaṇam*. The word *rūpya* thus denotes something on which a *rūpa* or figure is stamped. And what objects are these on which figures are stamped?

c9.15.2

The Kāśikākāra tells us that they are Dīnāra, Kedāra and Kārshāpaṇa. Very few of you perhaps know what Kedāra means. But most of you certainly know that Dīnāra and Kārshāpaṇa are names of coins. The term *rūpya* thus denotes coins, and coins only, when the sense of *āhata* is understood. If any doubt remains on this point, it will I hope be removed by a consideration of what the Amarakosha says regarding this word. This lexicon refers to *rūpya* in two places. In one, *rūpya* is called ‘stamped gold or silver,’¹ and one commentary on it styled *Ṭīkāsarvasva* gives a detailed explanation by saying that *rūpya* denotes “Dīnāras etc. struck with a hammer so as to cause the *rūpa* or figure of a man to rise on it both on the obverse and the reverse.”² The Amarakosha³ also speaks of Rūpyādhyaksha who is explained to be no other than Naishkika. Kshīrasvāmin, who is looked upon as the most erudite commentator on this lexicon, says that *rūpya* in *Rūpyādhyaksha* denotes Dīnāra and other coins, and Naishkika a *ṭankapati* or mint-master. In other words, Rūpyādhyaksha is already a mint-master according to Amara. If Rūpyādhyaksha can signify a mint-master, no doubt can be possibly entertained as to the term rūpya denoting ‘a coin.’ The only question that may be legitimately asked here is whether this word was known to Pāli literature as it has been mentioned by Pāṇini on the one hand and Amara on the other.

c9.15.3

Unless the word can be shown to be occurring in the Pāli literature also, it may be contended and with some force, no doubt, that it could not have been current among the people in general. I will, therefore, cite one instance from this literature. There are two verses in the Pātimokkha which relate to monetary transactions. I will translate them here as follows: “(v. 18) If again a mendicant should receive jātarūpa or gold and rajata or silver, or get some one to receive it for him, or allow it to be put in deposit for him, it is a fault requiring restitution. (v. 19) If again a mendicant should engage in any transactions of coined money, it is a fault requiring restitution.” The expression with which we are chiefly concerned here is rūpiya-saṃvohāra, i.e. rūpya-saṃvyavahāra, which I have rendered by “transactions of rūpya or coined money.” This translation alone can be correct, for the monetary transactions referred to in the first of these verses are distinguished from those in the second, and if the former refer only to gold and silver bullion in the first verse, the word *rūpya* in the second verse cannot possibly mean ‘silver bullion’ again, but must denote ‘coined money’ whether of gold, silver or any other metal.