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Arthashastra

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ततः शुल्ब काकण्य् उत्तर अपसारिता आ चतुः सीम अन्ताद् इति षोडश वर्णकाः ॥

When from one to sixteen kákanis of gold in a suvarna (of sixteen máshakas) are replaced by from one to sixteen kákanis of copper,

english translation

सुवर्णं पूर्वं निकष्य पश्चाद् वर्णिकां निकषयेत् ॥

Having first made a streak with suvarna on a touchstone, then (by the side of the streak) a streak with a piece of the gold (to be compared with it) shall be made.

english translation

सम राग लेखम् अनिम्न उन्नते देशे निकषितम्, परिमृदितं परिलीढं नख अन्तराद् वा गैरिकेण अवचूर्णितम् उपधिं विद्यात् ॥

Whenever a uniform streak made on the even surface of a touch-stone can be wiped off or swept away or when the streak is due to the sprinkling of any glittering powder (gairika) by the nail on touch-stone, then an attempt for deception can be inferred.

english translation

जाति हिङ्गुलुकेन पुष्पका सीसेन वा गो मूत्र भावितेन दिग्धेन अग्र हस्तेन संस्पृष्टं सुवर्णं श्वेती भवति ॥

If, with the edge of the palm dipped in a solution, of vermilion (játihinguláka) or of sulphate of iron (pushpakásísa) in cow's urine, gold (suvarna) is touched, it becomes white.

english translation

स केसरः स्निग्धो मृदुर् भाजिष्णुश् च निकष रागः श्रेष्ठः ॥

A touch-stone with soft and shining splendour is the best. The touch-stone of the Kálinga country with the colour of green beans is also the best.

english translation