Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c44.s5.t1.4

v2.c44.s5.t1.4

Aṅgavijjā provided a fairly long list of prevalent professions. There were suvarṇakāras (gold smiths), kaṃsakāra (bronze smith), loṇakāra (dealer in salt), maṇikāra (lapidary, dealer in gems), koṭṭaka (inlayers), etc. Dhātus were classified in Aṅgavijjā into two categories: maṇidhātu (gems) and loha (metals). Probably Yavanajātaka’s notion of dhāmya, something which is bright, was applied to the word dhātu, excluding those which are adhāmya or dull.