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Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c48: Appendix B: Words Related to Minerals and Metals in the Ṛgveda

Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c48

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Appendix B: Words Related to Minerals and Metals in the Ṛgveda

v2.c48.2

*Agni* : 1.1.1., 3.29.1-2 : Fire which is the cradle of (metallic) gems *ratnadhā-tamam* (1.1.1), and inherent in the forest (wood) *araṇyornihita* (3.29.2).

v2.c48.3

*Atas* : 1.58.2 & 4, 2.4.7., 3.7.3, 4.4.4, 4.7.10, 10.89.5 : Combustible material. Fuel Wood.

v2.c48.4

*Araṇi* : 1.127.4, 1.129.5, 3.29.2, 5.9.3, 7.1.1, 10.184.3 : Fire wood from the forest. ‘Fire is born from fire-wood’. *śiśum yathā navam janiṣṭāraṇī* (5.9.3) fire by friction (3.29.1) *araṇyornihito jātavedā garbha . . . agniḥ* (3.29.2).

v2.c48.5

*Adri* : 8.65.8, 9.65.8 : Grinding stone.

v2.c48.6

*Anji* : 5.53.4 : Ornament.

v2.c48.7

*Ayas* : 1.57.3, 1.163.9, 4.2.17, 6.3.5, 6.47.10, 6.75.12, 10.53.9-10 : Metals in general, probably copper or bronze and not iron in the Ṛgveda.

v2.c48.8

*Ayasmaya* : 5.30.15 : Metallic (pitcher).

v2.c48.9

*Ayodaṃṣṭra* : 1.88.5, 10.87.2 : Fire, that bites metal.

v2.c48.10

*Aghāti* : 10.146.2 : Cymbal (or Vīṇā ?)

v2.c48.11

*Ayasī* : 1.116.15, 1.118.8, 7.3.7, 7.15.14, 7.95.1: Metallic. *jaṅghā ayasīm* Artificial metallic leg for *viśpalā* (1.116.15, 1.118.8). Also meant hard and resistant to impact, qualifying city; fort etc.

v2.c48.12

*Āhāva* : 1.34.8 : Metallic Pitcher. Later Pāṇini defines as cattle-feeding water vessel.

v2.c48.13

*Iṣu* : 1.13.4, 1.64.10, 2.24.8, 5.57.2, 8.7.4: Arrow. *ālāktā ayomukham iṣu* (6.75.15) Poison and Metal-tipped arrow. (also in Pāṇini 6.2.107).

v2.c48.14

*Ulukhal*a : 1.28.1-6 : Mortar for grinding.

v2.c48.15

*Ṛṣṭi* : 1.37.1, 1.64.4, 1.166.4, 1.169.3, 5.52.6, 5.54.11, 5.57.6, 8.20.11 : Javelin Spear (Thunder) *aśrukmairā yudhā nara ṛṣvā ṛṣṭiḥ assrakṣata* : (5.52.6) *ye anṇiṣu ye vāsīṣu . . . rukmeṣu khādiṣu* (5.53.4) *aṃseṣu va ṛṣṭayaḥ patsu khādayo vakṣaḥsu rukmā . . . śiprāḥ śīrṣasu vitatā hiraṇyayiḥ* : (5.54.11) *vāsīmanta ṛṣṭimanto manīṣinaḥ sudhanvān iṣumanto niṣamgiṇaḥ* (5.57.2).

v2.c48.16

*Kalaśa* : 1.117.12 : Pitcher.

v2.c48.17

*Karkari* : 2.43.3 : Lute.

v2.c48.18

*Karṇāśovana* : 8.78.3 : Ear-ornament.

v2.c48.19

*Karmāra* : 10.72.2 : Metalsmith who blows in a furnace and makes metal objects presumably by casting of molten metal.

v2.c48.20

ब्रह्मणस्पतिरेता सं कर्मार इवाधमत् ।
देवानां पूर्ये युगे असतः सदजायत ।
*brahmaṇaspatiretā saṃ karmāra ivādhamat* |
*devānāṃ pūrvye yuge asataḥ sadajāyata* ||
(10.72.2)

v2.c48.21

*Kārmāra* : 9.112.2 : Metalsmith who makes arrows etc. of metal

v2.c48.22

जरतीभिः ओषधीभिः पर्णेभिः शकुनानाम्
कारारो अश्मभिः द्युभिः हिरण्यवन्तम् इच्छती . . .
*jaratībhiḥ oṣadhībhiḥ parṇebhiḥ śakunānām*
*kārmāro aśmabhiḥ dyubhiḥ hiraṇyavantam icchatī* . . . .
(9.112.2)

v2.c48.23

*Kumbha* : 1.116.7, 1.117.6 : Pitcher.

v2.c48.24

*Kuliśa* : 1.32.5 : Axe (*kuthāra*).

v2.c48.25

*Kṛti* : 1.168.3 : *hasteṣu khādiśca kṛtiśca*. A guard and sword. That which cuts. Sword (or Scissor?). In Pāṇini, *Kṛta* (7.2.57) means to ‘cut into pieces’.

v2.c48.26

*Kṛtnu* : 1.92.10 : To cut (wings of a bird). *śaghnīva kṛtnuḥ*.

v2.c48.27

*Kṛśana* : 1.35.4, 1.1126.4, 7.18.23 : Pearl (the small jewel within the oyster).

v2.c48.28

अभिवृतं कृशनै . . . हिरण्यशम्यं . . . सविता . . .
*abhivṛtaṃ kṛśanai . . . hiraṇyaśamyam . . . savitā* . . .
(1.35.4)

v2.c48.29

*Kṣura* : 1.166.10, 8.4.16, 10.28.9 : Razor.

v2.c48.30

यदा ते वातो अनुवाति शोचिर्वप्तेव श्मश्रु वपसि प्रभूम . . .
*yadā te vāto anuvāti śocirvapteva śmaśru vapasi prabhūma . . .*
(10.142.4)
With wind at its back, fire wipes out the trees and forests and ‘shaves’ the land just as the barber shaves (with a razor).

v2.c48.31

*Khanitra* : 1.179.6 : Spade or digging tool.

v2.c48.32

*khanamānaḥ khanitraiḥ . . .* (1.179.6) By the digging spade.

v2.c48.33

*Khanitrima* : 7.49.2 : That which is obtained by digging.

v2.c48.34

*sravanti khanitrimā . . .* (7.49.2) Flowing canal obtained by digging.

v2.c48.35

*Khādi* : Stands for wide-ranging metallic objects such as arm-shield (1.166.9), *hasteṣu khādi* (1.168.3), Wristlet or bangle or armlet *khādi hastam* (5.58.2), anklet *patsu khādayo* (5.54.11), shoulder decoration *aṃseṣu (skandhe) khādayo* (7.56.13) etc.

v2.c48.36

*Ghan* : Hard (Weapon) (1.8.3, 1.33.4).

v2.c48.37

*Tamba* : Pitcher. Metallic pitcher *ayastamba* (5.30.15).

v2.c48.38

*Tigna* : Sharp. Sharp lance *pavima tignam* (10.180.2).

v2.c48.39

*Dātra* : Sickle (for cutting crops such as barley) (8.78.10). In Pāṇini serrated sickle or crooked knif (3.2.182, 8.4.52)

v2.c48.40

*Dravi* : Smelter or metalsmith who melts metal.

v2.c48.41

तिग्नं . . . परशु: न जिह्वां द्रविर्न द्रावयति दारु धक्षत्
*tignaṃ . . . paraśuḥ na jihvāṃ dravirna drāvayati dāru dhakṣat.*
Fire devours wood with its axe-like sharp tongue, just as the smelter melts the metal. (6.3.4).

v2.c48.42

*Draviṇa* : The wealth or gem that is obtained by melting e.g. gold and silver (4.5.11, 4.23.4, 4.33.10, 9.109.9, 10.70.7).

v2.c48.43

*Drāvayati* : Melts or to melt. See *dravi* (6.3.4).

v2.c48.44

*Dhama* : 10.72.2 To blow (in a furnace). See *Karmāra* and *Kārmāra*. Also to purify by blowing (4.2.17).

v2.c48.45

*Dhārā* : Sharpened edge of a metallic weapon. *ayaso na dhārām* (6.3.5, 6.47.10).

v2.c48.46

*Dhmātari* : The blower or the metalsmith. *dhmāteva dhamati śiśīte dhmātari yathā.* As the blower blows to produce sharp flame. (5.9.5)

v2.c48.47

*Nidhi* : 2.24.6, 8.29.6, 10.68.6 : Treasure.

v2.c48.48

*Niṣka* : Gold ornamental pieces to decorate neck (2.33.10). May also mean gold coins (1.126.2, 4.37.4, 5.27.2), alludes to goldsmith (8.47.15).

v2.c48.49

*Niṣkagrība* : Golden necklace (5.19.3)

v2.c48.50

*Nyochanī* : 10.85.6 Ornament?

v2.c48.51

*Pachana* : 1.162.6 : Cooking Vessel also *Pachani*, 1.162.13.

v2.c48.52

*Pavi* : 10.180.2 : *pavim tignam* Spear sharpened.

v2.c48.53

*Pavitra* : 1.28.9, 3.36.7, 8.33.1, 8.101.9 Purifier or Strainer (of Soma).

v2.c48.54

*Paraśu* : 1.127.3, 6.3.4, 7.104.21, 10.28.8 : Axe

v2.c48.55

*śiśīte paraśum svāyasam* Sharpened metallic axe (10.53.9) *prācā gavyantaḥ pṛthuparśavo yayuḥ dāśā ca vṛtrā hatamāryāni ca* . . .
With big axes came to the east the cow-plunderers — the Dāsas as well as some Āryas . . . . (7.83.1).

v2.c48.56

*Pātra* : 1.162.13 : Vessel.

v2.c48.57

*Pāṣya* : 1.56.6 : Stone.

v2.c48.58

*Pura Āyasī* : 1.58.8, 2.20.8, 4.27.1 : City, Building, Fort, Body-metallic.

v2.c48.59

*Pratyatkān* : 5.55.6 : *hiraṇyayān pratytkām* (Golden) armlet (*kavaca*).

v2.c48.60

*Phāla* : 4.57.8, 10.117.7 : Plough.

v2.c48.61

*Bāṇa* : 6.75.17 : Arrow. *Bunda* in 8.45.4, 8.77.6 and 11.

v2.c48.62

*Bhurija* : 4.2.14, 8.4.16, 9.71.5 : Carpenter's tool to make chariot (like *vāsī*?). May be scissor also.

v2.c48.63

*Maṇi* : Gem. That which decorates (*maṇdana*)

v2.c48.64

हिरण्येन मणिना श्रुम्भमानाः
*hiraṇyena maṇinā śrumbhamāṇāḥ*
(1.33.8)
हिरण्यकर्ण मणिग्रीवम्
*hiraṇyakarṇam maṇigrīvam*
(1.122.14)

v2.c48.65

*Mantha* : 1.28.4 : Grinding or Churning in a mortar.

v2.c48.66

*Yuga* : 1.115.2, 1.184.3, 2.39.4, 3.53.17 : Yoke in a chariot, bullock-cart or sacrificial altar etc.

v2.c48.67

*Rajata* : 8.25.22 : Silver.

v2.c48.68

*Ratna* : 1.1.1, 1.20.7, 1.35.8, 1.41.6, 1.125.1, 1.140.11, 1.141.10, 2.38.1 Gem. Jewel.

v2.c48.69

*Rayim* : 1.73.1, 1.159.5, 2.21.6, 3.1.19, 4.2.7, 4.34.10, 4.36.9, 5.33.6, 6.6.7, 6.31.1: Treasure. From *Rayim* the word *Rajata* might have been derived.

v2.c48.70

*Rasa* : 1.23.23, 1.187.4-5, 5.43.4, 6.44.21 : Liquid essence, extract, juice.

v2.c48.71

*Rāya* : 8.4.15-16 : Treasure or wealth as *Rayim*

v2.c48.72

*Rāska* : 8.4.16 : Sharp.

v2.c48.73

*Rādhas* : 1.9.5, 1.17.7, 2.13.13, 2.22.3, 4.32.21, 5.13.6, 5.38.1 : Wealth. In 5.52.17 *Rādhā* is connected with Yamunā: the wealth of cattle and horses in the valley of the Yamunā : *yamunāyamadhi śrutamudrādho gavyam mrje ni rādho aśvam mrje*.

v2.c48.74

*Rukmā* : 1.166.10, 2.34.2 and 8, 5.53.4, 5.54.1, 5.55.1, 5.57.5, 8.46.33, 9.15.5: *vakṣahsu rukmā* Chest ornament (made of gold).

v2.c48.75

*Lāngala* : 4.57.4 : Plough. *śunam kṛṇatu lāngalam*. Let the plough cultivate well.

v2.c48.76

*Vajra* : 1.32.2, 1.51.7, 6.23.4 : Thunder. Spear. Harpoon to be thrown, or barbed harpoon for fighting.

v2.c48.77

*Vadhara* : 1.32.9, 4.22.9, 8.24.27 : Weapon.

v2.c48.78

*Varman* : 1.31.15, 1.140.10, 6.75.1, 8.47.8, 10.107.7 : Protective Shield. Breast armour.

v2.c48.79

*Vāśī* : 1.37.2, 1.88.3, 8.29.3 : *vāśī āyasī* (8.29.3). Metallic tool-chisel, axe or adze. In the neolithic age this was made of stone. *aśmanmayi vāśī* (10.101.10).

v2.c48.80

*Viśpalā* : 1.112.10, 1.116.15, 1.117.11, 1.118.8, 10.39.8 : The lady with metallic leg. *janghām āyasīm viśpalāyai* (1.116.15).

v2.c48.81

*Vṛka* : 1.117.21, 8.22.6 : Plough. *yavam vṛkeṇa karṣāthaḥ* (8.22.6).

v2.c48.82

*Vṛṣakhādi* : 1.64.10 : Ring.

v2.c48.83

*Vesī* : 7.18.17 Needle.

v2.c48.84

*Śara* : 1.148.4, 10.87.6, 10.125.6, 10.178.3 : Arrow. Sharpened arrow *śarvā śīśānaḥ* (10.87.6).

v2.c48.85

*Śaru* : 1.100.18, 1.172.2, 1.186.9, 4.28.3, 10.87.6, 10.125.6 : Arrow. Elsewhere as in 2.12.10 it means a spear (*Vajra* or *Śula*).

v2.c48.86

*Śarya/Śaryā* : 1.119.10, 1.148.4, 10.178.3 : Arrow.

v2.c48.87

*Śiprā* : 1.101.10, 5.54.11, 8.7.25 : Tiara or Crown (of gold). *śiprāḥ śīrṣasu vitatā hiraṇyayīḥ* (5.54.11 and 8.7.25).

v2.c48.88

*Śunāsīrā* : 4.57.5 and 8 : Plough (*Sirā*) and its tip (*Phalā*). Also used later in Śukla Yajurveda, 12.68. *Sitā* means the line or furrow tilled by the plough.

v2.c48.89

*Śūla* : 1.162.11 : Metal spike.

v2.c48.90

*Sāyaka* : 2.33.10, 10.48.4 : Arrow.

v2.c48.91

*Sirā* : Plough 4.57.5 and 8, 10.101.3-4. Same meaning in Pāṇini (6.2.187).

v2.c48.92

*Sūci* : 2.32.4 : Needle for sewing *rākāmahaṃ suhavaṃ* . . . *sīvyatvapaḥ sūcyacchidyamānayā dadātu* . . . Let the Goddess Rākā sew with needle our destination (a baby).

v2.c48.93

*Sṛka* : 1.32.12, 10.180.2 : Spear or harpoon to be thrown. *Srja* means to let go or fly. Sharpened spear *sṛkaṃ saṃśāya* (10.180.2).

v2.c48.94

*Sṛṇi* : 10.101.3 : Sickle. it *sṛvyaḥ pakkameyāt* ‘Let sickles fall on the ripe harvest’.

v2.c48.95

*Sūna* : 1.162.13 : Knife.

v2.c48.96

*Swadhā* : 4.10.6 : Ornament.

v2.c48.97

*Swadhiti* : 2.39.7, 3.2.10, 3.8.6 and 11, 5.7.8, 7.3.9, 8.102. 19, 10.89.7 : Axe to cut wood and forests (3.8.11). May also mean sword. 2.39.7 contains a statement ‘Sharpen the swords/axes on the whetstone:. *kṣnotreṇeva svadhitim saṃ śiśitam*.

v2.c48.98

*Hiraṇya* : 1.22.5, 1.33.8, 1.43.5, 1.122.2, 1.162.16, 2.33.9, 3.34.9, 4.17.11, 9.112.2 : Gold. *hiraṇyasyeva kalaśam* Golden pitcher (1.117.12) *hiraṇya-karṇa* ‘One with golden ear ornament or ring’ (1.122.14) *ghṛtaṃ na pūtaṃ tanuḥ* . . . *śuci hiraṇyam | tatte rukmo na rocata svadhāvaḥ* Fire, Your appearance is like purified ghī and pure golden ornaments (4.10.6).

v2.c48.99

*Hiraṇyavartani* : 6.61.7, 8.26.18, 10.75.8 : Golden way or river, whose bank-sands contain alluvial gold particles.

v2.c48.100

*Heti* : 1.103.3, 1.121.10, 3.30.17, 6.62.9 : Weapon.

Additional Technical Terms in the Other Vedic Literatures (Not Mentioned in the Ṛgveda)

v2.c48.s1.1

*Aṅgāra* : charcoal ; *Abakṣayanam* : tongs *Aṇu* : molecule *Añjana* : collyrium *Abhra* : mica *Ayorasa* : metal rust *Aṣṭaprūḍa* : coin, a *śatamāna* or eight *śāṇa* *Āma* : unbaked pottery *Iṣṭaka* : brick *Ukhā* : cauldron *Kaṃsa* : bronze/bell-metal, Cu alloy with Sn or As etc. *Kārṣṇāyasa* : black metal, or iron *Kṛśan* : conch-pearl (also in *RV*) *Kṛṣṇala* : 1/100 of *śatamāna* *Kṛṣṇāyasa* : black metal, or iron *Trapu* : tin *Trikakuḍa/Traikuta* : *Añjana* collyrium from three-peaked Sulaiman mountain *Nistap* : heating and melting (of gold etc.) *Nilalohita* : baked (black and red) pottery *Parigha* : iron-bar, cudgel *Pariṇaha* : iron-chest *Pariśāsa* : two-armed iron tongs *Pavamāna* : fire, ‘that which purifies’ *Praśasa* : iron axe or chopper *Bhastrā* : leather bag or bellow *Bhūtavidyā* : physics *Mehaja* : silver *Raktikā* : 1/100 of *śatamāna*. *Rāśi* : mathematics *Lavaṇa* : salt, borax *Lākṣā* : shellac *Loha* : copper *Lohamani* : red gem, copper bead (or ruby?) *Lohita/Lohitāyasa* : copper *Śatamāna* : gold coin, *pravṛtta* or circular disc *Śaṅkha* : conch (also in *RV*) *Śalyaka* : iron pointed stick *Śāṇa* : coin 1/8 of *aṣṭaprūḍa* *Śāsa* : sword or knife *Śūrpa* : winnow *Śyāma/Śyāmāyasa* : dark metal or iron *Samudramaṇi* : pearl, sea-gem *Silācī* : shellac *Sīsaka/sīsā* : lead *Saindhava Lavaṇa* : salt from Sindhu or sea *Harita* : yellow metal, gold *Hariśiprā* : yellow golden tiara *Hiraṇya iṣṭaka* : gold-brick *Hiraṇya kaśipu* : gold-cushion *Hiraṇya sakala* : gold-chips

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