Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c38.s2.4

v2.c38.s2.4

We have indicated before the controversy as to whether kārmāra in 9.112.2 stands for stone-worker or blacksmith. May be there was no fine distinction between the two professions in the Rgvedic age. Kārmāra in RV, 10.72.2 was however clearly a metalsmith who blew in a furnace and made metal objects presumably by casting of molten metal. He is associated with the act of blowing (dhama) in a furnace in order to purify or prepare the metal (RV, 4.2.17, 10.72.2), and was therefore known as dhmātari or one who blows (5.9.5).