On precious items and their quality control

We have seen in the past ( http://sastra-artha.blogspot.in/2013/07/appointing-chief-custodian-of-goods-or.html ) a chief custodian of goods / items is appointed.

Now, cANakya deals with the "quality control" aspect of incoming goods into the kOSa gRha. (11th chapter of book 2)

Starting with pearls, corals, various gem stones, diamonds, fragrances (agaru, chandana etc.), silk and wools; cANakya describes the qualities that can identify best of the precious goods in detail and concludes with an evergreen SlOka.

अतः परेषां रत्नानां प्रमाणं मूल्यलक्षणम् ।
जातिं रूपं च जानीयान्निधानं नवकर्म च ॥
पुराण प्रतिसंस्कारं कर्म गुह्यंमुपस्करान् ।
देशकाल परीभोगं हिंस्राणां च प्रतिक्रियाम् ॥

So, one should know the following about the precious items and their quality control.
1. pramANam - knowledge about the thing and its value
2. mUlyam - its pricing
3. lakshaNam - their qualities
4. jAtim - their origin and classification
5. rUpam - the appearence of the items
6. nidhAnam - the process of preserving them
7. navakarma - polishing or keeping them up to date.
8. purANa prati samskaram - repairing the old ones or regular maintenance
9. karma guhyam - the secrets about them (could be some secret activities related to them)
10. upaskarAn - the tools related to the activities related to them
11. dESa kAla parI bhOgam - the right usage of them according to the place and time
12. hiMsrAnAm ca pratikriyAm - remedies against their destruction.

In the next topic (12th Chapter) , cANakya deals with mines and factories related to metals and describes different ways by which government should run the mining in a judicious way by regulating and putting up right amount of taxes and governance around the mining activity and large factories surrounding the mass production of goods. The mines and large factories are the major source of income to the government which can be used to build the right army to acquire the territory. So, territory has the ornament called treasury i.e., kOSa of the king which is used to protect it by the means of army.

Next two chapters (13th and 14th) deals specifically with the supervisor of gold factories and supervision of high street gold shops respectively.

Primary focus of these chapters is to take care of quality of precious items and metals throughout the territory of the King. This is applicable to the modern leaders as well. The assets need to go through the strict quality control process and those who are examining the items should have complete knowledge of the items being examined and most importantly should be able to put the things to the right usage at the right time and right place.

This post brings us to the end of 14th chapter of adhyakshapracAraH.