Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c39.s6.1

v2.c39.s6.1

India entered the iron age after the Ṛgvedic era. Many metallic implements, probably made of copper or bronze, were mentioned in our previous chapter on the Ṛgveda. Similar tools continued to be made using the newly discovered metal, iron. We need not mention them again in this chapter. Just by the way of illustration, it may be noted that kṣura or razor known in the Ṛgveda continued to be popular thereafter (AV, 12.5.20,55; Tait. Sam., 2.1.5.7; Ś. Brā., 2.6.4.5; 3.1.2.7; 3.6.2.9, etc.). The ‘sharp edge of the razor’ kṣurasya dhārā nisitā (Kaṭha Upaniṣad, 1.3.14, B.Up., 3.3.2) became a popular expression. Svaḍhiti in Tait. Sam., 6.3.3.2, Vā. Sam., 2.15 and 5.43 meant an axe or a sword as in RV, 2.39.7, 3.2.10, etc.