[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Vedic Index of Names and Subjects](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912) › v1.c3.16 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.16 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.16 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c3.16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.16) (1) \*The Material.\*—The dice appear normally to have been made of Vibhīdaka nuts. Such dice are alluded to in both the Rigveda¹ and the Atharvaveda,² hence being called ‘brown’ (\*babhru\*), and ‘born on a windy spot.’³ In the ritual game of dice at the Agnyādheya and the Rājasūya ceremonies the material of the dice is not specified, but it is possible that occasionally gold imitations of Vibhīdaka nuts were used.⁴ There is no clear trace in the Vedic literature of the later use of cowries as dice.⁵ - [Previous: v1.c3.15](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.15) - [Next: v1.c3.17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.17) - [Up: v1.c3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.16) · Pramāṇa