8th Century Document on means of Earning Money

Author(s): Prem Suman Jain
Publisher: Z_Agarchand_Nahta_Abhinandan_Granth_Part_2_012043.pdf

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There are many references to such dishonest partners in contemporary literature.1 3. Pleasing the king (Naravar seva)
Pleasing the king is absolutely essential every-where for earning money. Whenever any merchant reached the state of the king with his caravan, he waited on the king with valuable presents and sought permission to do business in his territory. As soon as Dhandeva landed in Ratnadeep2, he took the presents, met the king and pleased him by his offerings. It is clear that the permission of a king was essential for carrying on business in his state.
4. Skill in weights and measures (kusalattaṇam ca māṇappamāņesu)
The two terms-'kusalattanam ca māṇappamānesu' mean that it is very necessary to have skill in judging the goods, Only a skilful merchant can judge. the worth or worthlessness of various goods. Profits can be earned only when a merchant purchases pure goods. Dhandeva's father hinted that it is very difficult. to judge the quality of goods unless one has sufficient proficiency in it.
Duppariyallam bhandam 65.15).
5. Alchemy (Dhauvvao)
The art of making artificial gold from metals by various chemicals was also a source of earning money. In the eighth century 'Dhatuvada' was current and had been developed as an art. Udyotanastiri has given a detailed description of Dhatuvada in his work, being practised in a secluded part of the Vindhya forest-(p. 195). It is said that the assembled Dhätuvādins or alchemists (Kemiyagara) were failing in their attempt. Prince Kuvalayachandra tried his own knowledge and succeeded in the making of gold. It appears that one of the epithets of the Dhatavadins was Narendra, meaning a master of charms or antidotes. The word is also used in this sense in classical Sanskrit literature. Dhatuvada is also called Narendra-Kala 197.16),
6. Worship of the deity (Devayarahan)
While going on a journey to earn money, many ceremonials were perfor med. The favourable deities were worshipped. Worship of different means of deities was considered auespicious for different means of earning money. While going on their round thieves worshipped Kharpat, Mahakala, Katyayani etc.
1. This had become a literary motif as appears from Jayasi describing a similar situation of a storm and ship-wreck brought about by a Raksasa (Partner) 'A cultara note-in Introduction to Kuv. by Dr. N. S. Agrawala, p. 120.
2. See for Ratnadeep-Dr. Buddha Prakash-India and the world." 3. उत्तिणो वणिया, गहियं दंसणीयं दिदो राया, कयो पसाधो, Kuv 67.12.
4. See for detail my thesis-A Cultural Study of Kuvalayamala Kaha. III chapter. 5. J. C. Jain-fй ¤ÂΤ ¤, p. 71
इतिहास और पुरातत्त्व १११