This monograph provides a framework to prove that the Indus Script Cipher is logo-semantic. The framework of syllabic Brāhmī script is evaluated by Subhash Kak (1994). Subhash C. Kak, 1994, Evoltion of early writing in India,in: Indian Journal of History of Science, 29(3), 1994. Abstract. The evolutionof the earliest writing in India is sketched in light of the new finds in archaeology and the discovery of the Rgvdic astronomical code. Main arguments in the derivation of Brāhmī from the writing of the Harappans are reviewed. The development of the zero sign is also traced.
I posit that Indus Script cipher seems to be logo-semantic, NOT syllabic. Rim-of-jar is the log; semantics: karṇaka 'rim of jar' rebus: karna 'scribe, accounted'; kaṇṇadhāra 'helmsman' (Pali); kāraṇī or kāraṇīka 'supercargo' (Marathi). कारणिक mfn. (g. काश्य्-ादि) " investigating , ascertaining the cause " , a judge Pan5cat. a teacher MBh. ii , 167. Thus, the phoneme karna signified by 'rim-of-jar' hieroglyph may indicate that the product has been 'judged' by the scribe', hence, authenticated by a seal or a tablet to accompany the shipment or cargo.
I also posit that both 'signs' and 'pictorial motifs' of Indus Script Corpora are to be read rebus in Meluhha (Indian sprachbund, 'language union'). Meluhha is the spoken form of the language of the Sarasvati-Sindhu civilization.
An example of the use of a 'sign' as a 'pictorial motif' is presented in the following examples of Indus Script inscriptions.
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karṇaka, kanka 'rim of jar' rebus: karṇI 'Supercargo' karṇika 'scribe, account'
Hieroglyph: one-horned young bull: खोंड (p. 216) [ khōṇḍa ] m A young bull, a bullcalf. Rebus: कोंद kōnda ‘engraver, lapidary setting or infixing gems’ (Marathi)
Rebus: कोंद kōnda ‘engraver, lapidary setting or infixing gems’ (Marathi) खोदगिरी [ khōdagirī ] f Sculpture, carving, engraving. Ta. kuntaṉam interspace for setting gems in a jewel; fine gold (< Te.). Ka. kundaṇa setting a precious stone in fine gold; fine gold; kundana fine gold.Tu. kundaṇa pure gold. Te. kundanamu fine gold used in very thin foils in setting precious stones; setting precious stones with fine gold. (DEDR 1725).
loa 'ficus religiosa' rebus: loh 'copper, iron,metal'.
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mū̃h 'ingot' (Santali). poLa 'magnetite ferrite ore' ingot PLUS kar ṇaka, kanka 'rim of jar' rebus: karṇI 'Supercargo' karṇika 'scribe, account'.
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mū̃h 'Identical inscription on three tablets m478 to m480
Hieroglyph ḍhaṁkaṇa 'lid' rebus dhakka 'excellent, bright, blazing metal article' proclamations on Indus Script https://tinyurl.com/ybe89ee9
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^ Inverted V, m478 (lid above rim of narrow-necked jar) The rimmed jar next to the tiger with turned head has a lid. Lid ‘ad.aren’; rebus: aduru ‘native metal’ karnika 'rim of jar' Rebus: karni'supercargo' (Marathi) Thus, together, the jar with lid composite hieroglyhph denotes 'native metal supercargo'. karn.aka = handle of a vessel; ka_n.a_, kanna_ = rim, edge; kan.t.u = rim of a vessel;kan.t.ud.iyo = a small earthen vessel; kan.d.a kanka = rim of a water-pot; kan:kha, kankha = rim of a vessel. In an alternative reading, the pot PLUS lid is read rebus as: dhakka karni 'bright metal supercargo'.
Segment 2 of the Dholavira signboard proclamation has a hieroglyph:
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This hieroglyph is a 'lid' on a pot. One reading of this hieroglyph is: aḍaren 'lid' rebus: aduru 'native metal'.
Vikalpa. Another reading is possible: ḍhaṁkaṇa 'lid' rebus dhakka 'excellent, bright, blazing metal article'.
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Obverse of the tablets m0478, 0479, 0480 show this narrative. Pict-111: From R.: A woman with outstretched arms flanked by two men holding uprooted trees in their hands; a person seated on a tree with a tiger below with its head turned backwards; a tall jar with a lid.
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Obverse of the tablets m0478, 0479, 0480 show this narrative. Pict-111: From R.: A woman with outstretched arms flanked by two men holding uprooted trees in their hands; a person seated on a tree with a tiger below with its head turned backwards; a tall jar with a lid.Image may be NSFW.
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Reverse side of a two-sided tablets m0478, 0479, 0480. in bas relief. Kneeling adorant carrying a U-shaped rimless pot in front a tree. NOTE: The kneeling motif also occurs on Sit Shamshi bronze.
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Reverse side of a two-sided tablets m0478, 0479, 0480. in bas relief. Kneeling adorant carrying a U-shaped rimless pot in front a tree. NOTE: The kneeling motif also occurs on Sit Shamshi bronze.Three identical Mohenjo-daro tablets, with identical inscriptions. m 478-480.
Section A: Message on obverse of tablet
The narrative on the obverse (b) of the tablet is in three parts: Part 1. Rim-of-jar PLUS lid; Part 2. Tiger looks back at spy on tree branch; Part 3. A wristlet wearer pushes thwarts two contestants clearing jungle.Image may be NSFW.
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Part 1. Rim-of-jar PLUS lid (Tablet m478b to m480b)
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Part 1. Rim-of-jar PLUS lid (Tablet m478b to m480b)An orthographic variant of a jar to focus on 'rim-of-jar' is provided by a Daimabad seal.
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karnaka 'rim of jar' karn.aka = handle of a vessel; ka_n.a_, kanna_ 'rim, edge' kan.t.u = rim of a vessel; kan.t.ud.iyo = a small earthen vessel
Rebus: karṇika 'Supercargo'' merchant in charge of cargo of a shipment, helmsman, scribe. Rebus kañiāra 'helmsman' karaṇī 'scribe'.Hieroglyph: *ḍhakk ʻ cover ʼ. 2. *ḍhaṅk -- . [Cf. ḍhakkana -- n. ʻ shutting ʼ Śīl.] 1. Pk. ḍhakkaï ʻ shuts ʼ; S. ḍhakaṇu ʻ to cover ʼ; L. ḍhakkaṇ ʻ to imprison ʼ; P. ḍhakkṇā ʻ to cover ʼ, Ku. ḍhakṇo, N. ḍhāknu, A. ḍhākiba, B. ḍhākā, Bhoj. ḍhākal, OMarw. ḍhakaï; -- Pk. ḍhakkiṇī -- f. ʻ lid ʼ, S. ḍhakkaṇī f., P. ḍhakṇā m., °ṇī f., WPah. bhad. ḍhakkaṇ n., Ku. ḍhākaṇ, N. ḍhakni, A. ḍhākni, B. ḍhākan, ḍhāknā, °ni; Bi. ḍhaknā ʻ cover of grain -- pot ʼ, Mth. ḍhākni; Bhoj. ḍhaknī ʻ lid ʼ. -- Poss. K. ḍākürü f. ʻ wide shallow basket ʼ; N. ḍhāki ʻ basket ʼ, ḍhākar ʻ a kind of large basket ʼ; Bi. mag. ḍhākā ʻ large open basket ʼ; -- P. ḍhakkā m. ʻ pass between two hills ʼ. 2. Pk. ḍhaṁkissaï ʻ will cover ʼ; Kho. (Lor.) ḍaṅgeik ʻ to cover, shut, bury ʼ; Phal. ḍhaṅg -- ʻ to bury ʼ; Or. ḍhaṅkibā ʻ to cover ʼ, H. ḍhã̄knā, Marw. ḍhã̄kṇo, G. ḍhã̄kvũ, M. ḍhã̄kṇẽ; -- Pk. ḍhaṁkaṇa -- n., °ṇī -- f. ʻ cover, lid ʼ, Or. ḍhāṅkuṇi, H. ḍhãknī f., G. ḍhã̄kṇũ n., °ṇī f., M. ḍhã̄kaṇ n., ḍhã̄kṇī f.Addenda: *ḍhakk -- 1: S.kcch. ḍhakṇū ʻ to cover, shut (a door) ʼ, WPah.kṭg. (kc.) ḍhàkṇõ, Garh. ḍhakṇu; A. ḍhākiba (phonet. dh -- ) ʻ to cover ʼ, G. ḍhākvũ, M. ḍhākṇẽ.(CDIAL 5574)
Hieroglyph: *ḍhākka ʻ back, waist ʼ.Wg. ḍakāˊ ʻ waist ʼ; Dm. ḍã̄k, ḍaṅ ʻ back ʼ, Shum. ḍäg, Woṭ. ḍāg, Gaw. ḍáka; Kal. rumb. ḍhak ʻ waist ʼ, urt. ḍhã̄k ʻ back ʼ; Bshk. ḍāk ʻ waist ʼ, d(h)āk ʻ back ʼ AO xviii 233; Tor. ḍāk, ḍāg ʻ back ʼ, Mai. ḍāg, ḍā; Phal. ḍōk ʻ waist, back ʼ; Sh. ḍāki̯ f. ʻ back, small of back ʼ, pales. ḍāko; S. ḍhāka f. ʻ hip ʼ, L. ḍhāk; P. ḍhāk f. ʻ side, hip ʼ.(CDIAL 5582)
RRebus: धक्क dhakka a (Imit.) Steady, enduring, unshaken (as under misfortune): hale, hearty, stanch, unflinching--man or animal: stout, sound, firm, fit to render good service--cloth, an article gen. 2 Brightshining, brilliant, very lustrous--metal, a gem, a firework. Hence 3 Bright and good, altogether excellent--a rupee or other coin. धक dhaka f (In Konkan̤ m. धग or धगधग Imit. or from H Ardor.) The glow of a fire. 2 Freely. Fire kindled, fire, flame, blaze. Ex. धक पेटीव मी धक घेणार आहें. 3 fig. Glowing or swelling (of ardor, pride, conceit). (Marathi) धक dhaka f (In Konkan̤ m. धग or धगधग Imit. or from H Ardor.) The glow of a fire. 2 Freely. Fire kindled, fire, flame, blaze. Ex. धक पेटीव मी धक घेणार आहें. 3 fig. Glowing or swelling (of ardor, pride, conceit). (Marathi) *dhagg ʻ throb, glitter ʼ. [Cf. dhagiti ʻ at once ʼ Kād., dhagad -- dhagiti ʻ crack! ʼ HPariś., and *ḍag -- 1]Pk. dhagadhagaï ʻ flares ʼ, dhagadhaggamāṇa -- , dhaggīkaya -- ʻ blazing ʼ; H. dhagdhagānā ʻ to throb, glitter ʼ; G. dhagdhagvũ ʻ to burn fiercely ʼ; M. dhagdhagṇẽ ʻ id., to beat (of heart) ʼ; -- S. dhakdhaki f. ʻ palpitation ʼ; N. dhakāunu ʻ to pant ʼ; B. dhak ʻ sudden blaze ʼ, dhakdhakāna ʻ to throb, glitter ʼ; Or. dhaka ʻ blaze ʼ, dhakadhaka ʻ throbbing, blazing ʼ; H. dhakdhakānā, dhadhaknā ʻ to blaze ʼ, G. dhakdhakvũ; M. dhakdhakṇẽ ʻ to palpitate ʼ.dhagg -- : Ko. dhaggu ʻ heat ʼ, dhagdhagu ʻ blazing heat ʼ. (CDIAL 6704) *dhakṣati ʻ burns ʼ [Cf. fut. part. vidhakṣyánt -- , aor. part. dhákṣat RV. -- √dah ]G. dhakhvũ ʻ to get into a passion ʼ, dhakhāvvũ ʻ to make hot ʼ, dhakh f. ʻ thirst ʼ.Addenda: dhákṣu -- : S.kcch. ḍakho m. ʻ quarrel ʼ; B. dhak ʻ sudden blaze ʼ, Or. dhaka ʻ blaze ʼ (rather than < *dhagg -- ). (CDIAL 6703) Ta. taka-tak-eṉal, taka-takav-eṉal onom. expr. of boiling, bubbling. Ma. taka taka beating time. Ka. takatakane quickly (of dancing); taka pakane id., vehemently (used of boiling). Tu. takataka, takapakaagility in dancing; bubbling in boiling, nimbly, briskly. Te. takapikalāḍu to dance about, dangle. (DEDR 2997) Ta. taka-tak-eṉal, taka-takav-eṉal onom. expr. of dazzling, glowing, glittering. Ko. dag dag in- (iḏ-) (flame) burns brightly; dagdagn with a good light. Ka. daggane with a blaze. Tu. dagadaga, dagabaga brightly; dagga, dagganè (to blaze) suddenly. Te. dagadaga glitter; dagadagam-anu to glitter, shine. Kur. dagnā to light, set fire to, burn (tr.); dagrnā to catch fire, be burned. Malt. dagdagre to glitter, shine (or < IA). / MBE 1969, p. 293, no. 26, for areal etymology, with reference to Turner, CDIAL, no. 6704, *dhagg-, Pkt. dhagadhagaï flares, H. dhagdhagānā to glitter, dhakdhakānā to blaze; add ibid. no. 5522(4) Panj. dagdagāuṇāto shine, no. 5522(1) Ass. ḍagmag sparkle, ḍagmagāiba to glitter, Beng. ḍagḍagiyā glowing, H. ḍagḍagānā, ḍagmagānā to burn brightly (DEDR 2998)
Alternative Rebus: dhakk ‘an anvil’ (Kannada) dhakka ‘steady, stout’ (Marathi)
Part 2. Tiger looks back at spy on tree branch (Tablet m478b to m480b)
ḍhaṁkhara — m.n. ʻbranch without leaves or fruitʼ (Prakrit) (CDIAL 5524) Rebus: dhangar 'blacksmith'
kōṭu branch of tree, Rebus: खोट [ khōṭa ] f A mass of metal (unwrought or of old metal melted down); an ingot or wedge.
Hieroglyph: Looking back: krammara 'look back' (Telugu) kamar 'smith, artisan' (Santali) PLUS kola 'tiger' rebus: kol 'working in iron' kolle 'blacksmith' kolhe 'smelter.
eraka, hero = a messenger; a spy (G.lex.) kola ‘tiger, jackal’ (Kon.); rebus: kol working in iron, blacksmith, ‘alloy of five metals, panchaloha’ (Tamil) kol ‘furnace, forge’ (Kuwi) kolami ‘smithy’ (Te.) heraka = spy (Skt.); er to look at or for (Pkt.); er uk- to play 'peeping tom' (Ko.) Rebus: eraka ‘copper’ (Ka.)
Part 3. A wristlet wearer pushes thwarts two contestants clearing jungle (Tablet m478b to m480b)
The person standing between, thwarting and pushing two contestants wears wristlets: karã̄ n. pl.wristlets, bangles' Rebus: khãr 'blacksmith, iron worker' (Kashmiri).
Hypertext: daka, 'push'; erga, 'act of clearing jungle' (Kui) [Note image showing two men carrying uprooted trees]; karã̄ n. pl.wristlets, bangles. Rebus reading: dhagdhag 'glittering' erako 'moltencast metal', khãr 'blacksmith, iron worker'. Thus, blacksmith (maker of) glittering moltencast metal. erka = ekke (Tbh. of arka) aka (Tbh. of arka) copper (metal); crystal (Ka.lex.) cf. eruvai = copper (Ta.lex.) eraka, er-aka = any metal infusion (Ka.Tu.)er-r-a = red; eraka = copper (Ka.) erka = ekke (Tbh. of arka) aka (Tbh. of arka) copper (metal); crystal (Kannada) erako molten cast (as metal) (Tulu) agasa_le, agasa_li, agasa_lava_d.u = a goldsmith (Telugu) Ta. eṟṟu (eṟṟi-) to throw out (as water from a vessel); iṟai (-v-, -nt-) to scatter (intr.), disperse; (-pp-, -tt-) to splash (tr.), spatter, scatter, strew, draw and pour out water, irrigate, bale out, squander; iṟaivai receptacle for drawing water for irrigation; iṟaṭṭu (iṟaṭṭi-) to sprinkle, splash. Ma. iṟekka to bale out; iṟayuka id., scatter, disperse; iṟava basket for drawing water; eṟiccil rainwater blown in by the wind. To. eṟ- (eṟQ -) to scoop up (water with vessel). Ka. eṟe to pour any liquids, cast (as metal); n. pouring; eṟacu, ercu to scoop, sprinkle, scatter, strew, sow; eṟaka, eraka any metal infusion; molten state, fusion. Tu. eraka molten, cast (as metal); eraguni to melt. Kur. ecchnā to dash a liquid out or over (by scooping, splashing, besprinkling). Cf. 840 Kur. elkhnā (Pfeiffer).(DEDR 866)
*dhakk ʻ push, strike ʼ. [dhakkayati ʻ annihilates ʼ Dhātup.] K. daka m. ʻ a push, blow ʼ, S. dhaku m., L. P. dhakkā m.; Ku. dhakkā ʻ collision ʼ, dhã̄kā ʻ forcibly pushing ʼ; N. dhakkā ʻ collision, push ʼ; B. dhā̆kkā ʻ push ʼ, Or. dhakā; H. dhak m. ʻ shock, sudden terror ʼ, dhakkā m. ʻ push ʼ; OMarw. dhakā -- dhakī f. ʻ rush ʼ; G. dhakkɔ m. ʻ push ʼ, M. dhakā, ḍhakā m.; -- P. dhakkṇā ʻ to push, oust ʼ; -- S. dhakiṛaṇu ʻ to half -- clean rice by beating it in a mortar ʼ; -- Ku. dhakelṇo ʻ to push ʼ, N. dhakelnu, H. dhakelnā, ḍha°, G. dhakelvũ. S.kcch. dhakko ḍeṇo ʻ to push ʼ; WPah.kṭg. dhàkkɔ m. ʻ push, dash ʼ, J. dhākā m.((CDIAL 6701)Image may be NSFW.
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धकाधकी dhakādhakī f (धका by redup.) A general or a mutual shoving and pushing; a scuffle or tussle. धकाबुका dhakābukā m धकाबुकी f धकीबुकी f C Pushing and pommeling; shoving and cuffing. v कर, दे, मार. (Marathi)Section B: Message on reverse of tablet
The narrative on the reverse (a) of the tablet is in three parts: Part 1. Endless knot; Part 2. Text message; Part 3. Worshipper ofering a rimless pot in front of a tree
Part 1. Endless knot (Tablet m478a to m480a)
Endless knot hieroglyph: मेढा [ mēḍhā ]'twist, curl' rebus: medha ‘yajña' mẽṛhẽt, 'iron' (Santali) meḍ 'iron' (Mu.Ho.)'; 'copper' (Slavic languages). Together, the two hieroglyphs signify a performer of medhā ‘yajña', acquirer of medhā 'dhanam, wealth', metalworker, ironsmith turner.
Part 2. Worshipper ofering a rimless pot in front of a tree (Tablet m478a to m480a)
kuṭi 'tree' Rebus: kuṭhi 'smelter)', furnace (Santali)
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On seal m1186A a kneeling adorant makes offerings. bārṇe, bāraṇe = an offering of food to a demon; a meal after fasting, a breakfast (Tu.) barada, barda, birada 'a vow' (Gujarati) Rebus: baran, bharat (5 copper, 4 zinc and 1 tin)(P.B.) A similar kneeling adorant now holds a wide-mouthed, rimless pot and makes an offering to the tree. baṭhu m. ‘large pot in which grain is parched (Sindhi) Rebus: bhaṭṭhā m. ‘kiln’ (P.) baṭa = a kind of iron (G.) bhaṭa ‘furnace’ (Gujarati) baṭa = kiln (Santali); bhaṭṭha -- m.n. ʻ gridiron (pkt.) baṭhu large cooking fire’ baṭhī f. ‘distilling furnace’; l. bhaṭṭh m. ‘grain—parcher's oven’, bhaṭṭhī f. ‘kiln, distillery’, awāṇ. bhaṭh; p. bhaṭṭh m., ṭhī f. ‘furnace’, bhaṭṭhā m. ‘kiln’; s. bhaṭṭhī keṇī ‘distil (spirits)’. (CDIAL 9656) Thus, the reading of the composite glyph: kneeling adorant + pot is read rebus: meḍ pattar + bhaṭa 'iron urnace (of) merchant guild'.
The merchant, battuḍu, pattar is shown in a worshipful state kneeling in adoration on many inscriptions.
Part 3. Text message (Tablet m478a to m480a)Hieroglyphs (from. r to l):battuḍu bhata, 'worshipper' rebus: bhaṭa ‘furnace’ PLUS OFFERING: barada, barda, birada 'a vow' (Gujarati) Rebus: baran, bharat (5 copper, 4 zinc and 1 tin).
Numeral four: gaṇḍa 'four' Rebus: kand 'fire-altar'. PLUS bhata, 'pot' rebus: bhaṭa ‘furnace’. Thus, the 'four linear strokes PLUS rimless pot' signifies: 'fire-altar (in) artisan's workshop'.
Body hieroglyph read rebus: Image may be NSFW.
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Circumscript of two linear strokes for 'body' hieroglyph: dula 'pair' Rebus: dul 'cast metal' koḍa ‘one’(Santali) Rebus: koḍ ‘artisan’s workshop' Thus, the circumscript signifies 'cast metal workshop' (with furnace) PLUS circumscribed body hieroglyph: meḍ 'body' Rebus: mẽṛhẽt 'iron' (Santali) meḍ 'iron' (Mu.Ho.); med 'copper' (Slavic).Together, the hypertext reds: dul meḍ koḍ 'metal casting, cast iron workshop'.
Hieroglyph: khareḍo 'a currycomb' (Gujarati) Rebus: kharādī ‘turner’ (Gujarati) खरडा kharaḍā m (खरडणें) Scrapings (as from a culinary utensil). 2 Bruised or coarsely broken peppercorns &c.: a mass of bruised मेथ्या &c. 3 also खरडें n A scrawl; a memorandum-scrap; a foul, blotted, interlined piece of writing. 4 also खरडें n A rude sketch; a rough draught; a foul copy; a waste-book; a day-book; a note-book. खरड kharaḍa f (खरडणें) A hurriedly written or drawn piece; a scrawl; a mere tracing or rude sketch. 2 Vehement reviling or abusing. v काढ g. of o. निघ g. of s. 3 The ashes and earth which gather about an ingot of metal during its formation. So called because to be detached they must be scraped off. खरडघाशा kharaḍaghāśā m (खरड & घासणें) A term of abuse for a bad writer, barber, carpenter &c.; quill-driver, scraper, chips. खरडणें kharaḍaṇēṃ v c To scrape or rub off roughly: also to abrade or graze. 2 To rub up; to grub up; to root out (grass, weeds &c.) by pushing the instrument along. 3 To shave roughly, to scrape: also to write roughly, to scrawl: also to jot or note down; to make brief memoranda: also to draw roughly; to plough roughly; to grind roughly &c. &c. (Marathi).
The semantics of खरडें 'rough draft' explains why the hieroglyph occurs ONLY on tablets which are works-in-process documentation by scribes.
Thus, the inscriptions on tablet m478 to m480 complete the documentation of wealth-creating metalwork खरडा kharaḍā daybook.
Hieroglyph: *ḍhakk ʻ cover ʼ. 2. *ḍhaṅk -- . [Cf. ḍhakkana -- n. ʻ shutting ʼ Śīl.] 1. Pk. ḍhakkaï ʻ shuts ʼ; S. ḍhakaṇu ʻ to cover ʼ; L. ḍhakkaṇ ʻ to imprison ʼ; P. ḍhakkṇā ʻ to cover ʼ, Ku. ḍhakṇo, N. ḍhāknu, A. ḍhākiba, B. ḍhākā, Bhoj. ḍhākal, OMarw. ḍhakaï; -- Pk. ḍhakkiṇī -- f. ʻ lid ʼ, S. ḍhakkaṇī f., P. ḍhakṇā m., °ṇī f., WPah. bhad. ḍhakkaṇ n., Ku. ḍhākaṇ, N. ḍhakni, A. ḍhākni, B. ḍhākan, ḍhāknā, °ni; Bi. ḍhaknā ʻ cover of grain -- pot ʼ, Mth. ḍhākni; Bhoj. ḍhaknī ʻ lid ʼ. -- Poss. K. ḍākürü f. ʻ wide shallow basket ʼ; N. ḍhāki ʻ basket ʼ, ḍhākar ʻ a kind of large basket ʼ; Bi. mag. ḍhākā ʻ large open basket ʼ; -- P. ḍhakkā m. ʻ pass between two hills ʼ. 2. Pk. ḍhaṁkissaï ʻ will cover ʼ; Kho. (Lor.) ḍaṅgeik ʻ to cover, shut, bury ʼ; Phal. ḍhaṅg -- ʻ to bury ʼ; Or. ḍhaṅkibā ʻ to cover ʼ, H. ḍhã̄knā, Marw. ḍhã̄kṇo, G. ḍhã̄kvũ, M. ḍhã̄kṇẽ; -- Pk. ḍhaṁkaṇa -- n., °ṇī -- f. ʻ cover, lid ʼ, Or. ḍhāṅkuṇi, H. ḍhãknī f., G. ḍhã̄kṇũ n., °ṇī f., M. ḍhã̄kaṇ n., ḍhã̄kṇī f.Addenda: *ḍhakk -- 1: S.kcch. ḍhakṇū ʻ to cover, shut (a door) ʼ, WPah.kṭg. (kc.) ḍhàkṇõ, Garh. ḍhakṇu; A. ḍhākiba (phonet. dh -- ) ʻ to cover ʼ, G. ḍhākvũ, M. ḍhākṇẽ.(CDIAL 5574)
Hieroglyph: *ḍhākka ʻ back, waist ʼ.Wg. ḍakāˊ ʻ waist ʼ; Dm. ḍã̄k, ḍaṅ ʻ back ʼ, Shum. ḍäg, Woṭ. ḍāg, Gaw. ḍáka; Kal. rumb. ḍhak ʻ waist ʼ, urt. ḍhã̄k ʻ back ʼ; Bshk. ḍāk ʻ waist ʼ, d(h)āk ʻ back ʼ AO xviii 233; Tor. ḍāk, ḍāg ʻ back ʼ, Mai. ḍāg, ḍā; Phal. ḍōk ʻ waist, back ʼ; Sh. ḍāki̯ f. ʻ back, small of back ʼ, pales. ḍāko; S. ḍhāka f. ʻ hip ʼ, L. ḍhāk; P. ḍhāk f. ʻ side, hip ʼ.(CDIAL 5582)
RRebus: धक्क dhakka a (Imit.) Steady, enduring, unshaken (as under misfortune): hale, hearty, stanch, unflinching--man or animal: stout, sound, firm, fit to render good service--cloth, an article gen. 2 Brightshining, brilliant, very lustrous--metal, a gem, a firework. Hence 3 Bright and good, altogether excellent--a rupee or other coin. धक dhaka f (In Konkan̤ m. धग or धगधग Imit. or from H Ardor.) The glow of a fire. 2 Freely. Fire kindled, fire, flame, blaze. Ex. धक पेटीव मी धक घेणार आहें. 3 fig. Glowing or swelling (of ardor, pride, conceit). (Marathi) धक dhaka f (In Konkan̤ m. धग or धगधग Imit. or from H Ardor.) The glow of a fire. 2 Freely. Fire kindled, fire, flame, blaze. Ex. धक पेटीव मी धक घेणार आहें. 3 fig. Glowing or swelling (of ardor, pride, conceit). (Marathi) *dhagg ʻ throb, glitter ʼ. [Cf. dhagiti ʻ at once ʼ Kād., dhagad -- dhagiti ʻ crack! ʼ HPariś., and *ḍag -- 1]Pk. dhagadhagaï ʻ flares ʼ, dhagadhaggamāṇa -- , dhaggīkaya -- ʻ blazing ʼ; H. dhagdhagānā ʻ to throb, glitter ʼ; G. dhagdhagvũ ʻ to burn fiercely ʼ; M. dhagdhagṇẽ ʻ id., to beat (of heart) ʼ; -- S. dhakdhaki f. ʻ palpitation ʼ; N. dhakāunu ʻ to pant ʼ; B. dhak ʻ sudden blaze ʼ, dhakdhakāna ʻ to throb, glitter ʼ; Or. dhaka ʻ blaze ʼ, dhakadhaka ʻ throbbing, blazing ʼ; H. dhakdhakānā, dhadhaknā ʻ to blaze ʼ, G. dhakdhakvũ; M. dhakdhakṇẽ ʻ to palpitate ʼ.dhagg -- : Ko. dhaggu ʻ heat ʼ, dhagdhagu ʻ blazing heat ʼ. (CDIAL 6704) *dhakṣati ʻ burns ʼ [Cf. fut. part. vidhakṣyánt -- , aor. part. dhákṣat RV. -- √dah ]G. dhakhvũ ʻ to get into a passion ʼ, dhakhāvvũ ʻ to make hot ʼ, dhakh f. ʻ thirst ʼ.Addenda: dhákṣu -- : S.kcch. ḍakho m. ʻ quarrel ʼ; B. dhak ʻ sudden blaze ʼ, Or. dhaka ʻ blaze ʼ (rather than < *dhagg -- ). (CDIAL 6703) Ta. taka-tak-eṉal, taka-takav-eṉal onom. expr. of boiling, bubbling. Ma. taka taka beating time. Ka. takatakane quickly (of dancing); taka pakane id., vehemently (used of boiling). Tu. takataka, takapakaagility in dancing; bubbling in boiling, nimbly, briskly. Te. takapikalāḍu to dance about, dangle. (DEDR 2997) Ta. taka-tak-eṉal, taka-takav-eṉal onom. expr. of dazzling, glowing, glittering. Ko. dag dag in- (iḏ-) (flame) burns brightly; dagdagn with a good light. Ka. daggane with a blaze. Tu. dagadaga, dagabaga brightly; dagga, dagganè (to blaze) suddenly. Te. dagadaga glitter; dagadagam-anu to glitter, shine. Kur. dagnā to light, set fire to, burn (tr.); dagrnā to catch fire, be burned. Malt. dagdagre to glitter, shine (or < IA). / MBE 1969, p. 293, no. 26, for areal etymology, with reference to Turner, CDIAL, no. 6704, *dhagg-, Pkt. dhagadhagaï flares, H. dhagdhagānā to glitter, dhakdhakānā to blaze; add ibid. no. 5522(4) Panj. dagdagāuṇāto shine, no. 5522(1) Ass. ḍagmag sparkle, ḍagmagāiba to glitter, Beng. ḍagḍagiyā glowing, H. ḍagḍagānā, ḍagmagānā to burn brightly (DEDR 2998)
Alternative Rebus: dhakk ‘an anvil’ (Kannada) dhakka ‘steady, stout’ (Marathi)
Part 2. Tiger looks back at spy on tree branch (Tablet m478b to m480b)
ḍhaṁkhara — m.n. ʻbranch without leaves or fruitʼ (Prakrit) (CDIAL 5524) Rebus: dhangar 'blacksmith'
kōṭu branch of tree, Rebus: खोट [ khōṭa ] f A mass of metal (unwrought or of old metal melted down); an ingot or wedge.
Hieroglyph: Looking back: krammara 'look back' (Telugu) kamar 'smith, artisan' (Santali) PLUS kola 'tiger' rebus: kol 'working in iron' kolle 'blacksmith' kolhe 'smelter.
eraka, hero = a messenger; a spy (G.lex.) kola ‘tiger, jackal’ (Kon.); rebus: kol working in iron, blacksmith, ‘alloy of five metals, panchaloha’ (Tamil) kol ‘furnace, forge’ (Kuwi) kolami ‘smithy’ (Te.) heraka = spy (Skt.); er to look at or for (Pkt.); er uk- to play 'peeping tom' (Ko.) Rebus: eraka ‘copper’ (Ka.)
Part 3. A wristlet wearer pushes thwarts two contestants clearing jungle (Tablet m478b to m480b)
The person standing between, thwarting and pushing two contestants wears wristlets: karã̄ n. pl.wristlets, bangles' Rebus: khãr 'blacksmith, iron worker' (Kashmiri).
Hypertext: daka, 'push'; erga, 'act of clearing jungle' (Kui) [Note image showing two men carrying uprooted trees]; karã̄ n. pl.wristlets, bangles. Rebus reading: dhagdhag 'glittering' erako 'moltencast metal', khãr 'blacksmith, iron worker'. Thus, blacksmith (maker of) glittering moltencast metal.
erka = ekke (Tbh. of arka) aka (Tbh. of arka) copper (metal); crystal (Ka.lex.) cf. eruvai = copper (Ta.lex.) eraka, er-aka = any metal infusion (Ka.Tu.)er-r-a = red; eraka = copper (Ka.) erka = ekke (Tbh. of arka) aka (Tbh. of arka) copper (metal); crystal (Kannada) erako molten cast (as metal) (Tulu) agasa_le, agasa_li, agasa_lava_d.u = a goldsmith (Telugu) Ta. eṟṟu (eṟṟi-) to throw out (as water from a vessel); iṟai (-v-, -nt-) to scatter (intr.), disperse; (-pp-, -tt-) to splash (tr.), spatter, scatter, strew, draw and pour out water, irrigate, bale out, squander; iṟaivai receptacle for drawing water for irrigation; iṟaṭṭu (iṟaṭṭi-) to sprinkle, splash. Ma. iṟekka to bale out; iṟayuka id., scatter, disperse; iṟava basket for drawing water; eṟiccil rainwater blown in by the wind. To. eṟ- (eṟQ -) to scoop up (water with vessel). Ka. eṟe to pour any liquids, cast (as metal); n. pouring; eṟacu, ercu to scoop, sprinkle, scatter, strew, sow; eṟaka, eraka any metal infusion; molten state, fusion. Tu. eraka molten, cast (as metal); eraguni to melt. Kur. ecchnā to dash a liquid out or over (by scooping, splashing, besprinkling). Cf. 840 Kur. elkhnā (Pfeiffer).(DEDR 866)
*dhakk ʻ push, strike ʼ. [dhakkayati ʻ annihilates ʼ Dhātup.] K. daka m. ʻ a push, blow ʼ, S. dhaku m., L. P. dhakkā m.; Ku. dhakkā ʻ collision ʼ, dhã̄kā ʻ forcibly pushing ʼ; N. dhakkā ʻ collision, push ʼ; B. dhā̆kkā ʻ push ʼ, Or. dhakā; H. dhak m. ʻ shock, sudden terror ʼ, dhakkā m. ʻ push ʼ; OMarw. dhakā -- dhakī f. ʻ rush ʼ; G. dhakkɔ m. ʻ push ʼ, M. dhakā, ḍhakā m.; -- P. dhakkṇā ʻ to push, oust ʼ; -- S. dhakiṛaṇu ʻ to half -- clean rice by beating it in a mortar ʼ; -- Ku. dhakelṇo ʻ to push ʼ, N. dhakelnu, H. dhakelnā, ḍha°, G. dhakelvũ. S.kcch. dhakko ḍeṇo ʻ to push ʼ; WPah.kṭg. dhàkkɔ m. ʻ push, dash ʼ, J. dhākā m.((CDIAL 6701)
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धकाधकी dhakādhakī f (धका by redup.) A general or a mutual shoving and pushing; a scuffle or tussle. धकाबुका dhakābukā m धकाबुकी f धकीबुकी f C Pushing and pommeling; shoving and cuffing. v कर, दे, मार. (Marathi)
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Section B: Message on reverse of tablet
The narrative on the reverse (a) of the tablet is in three parts: Part 1. Endless knot; Part 2. Text message; Part 3. Worshipper ofering a rimless pot in front of a tree
Part 1. Endless knot (Tablet m478a to m480a)
Endless knot hieroglyph: मेढा [ mēḍhā ]'twist, curl' rebus: medha ‘yajña' mẽṛhẽt, 'iron' (Santali) meḍ 'iron' (Mu.Ho.)'; 'copper' (Slavic languages). Together, the two hieroglyphs
signify a performer of medhā ‘yajña', acquirer of medhā 'dhanam, wealth', metalworker, ironsmith turner.
Part 2. Worshipper ofering a rimless pot in front of a tree (Tablet m478a to m480a)
kuṭi 'tree' Rebus: kuṭhi 'smelter)', furnace (Santali)
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On seal m1186A a kneeling adorant makes offerings. bārṇe, bāraṇe = an offering of food to a demon; a meal after fasting, a breakfast (Tu.) barada, barda, birada 'a vow' (Gujarati) Rebus: baran, bharat (5 copper, 4 zinc and 1 tin)(P.B.) A similar kneeling adorant now holds a wide-mouthed, rimless pot and makes an offering to the tree. baṭhu m. ‘large pot in which grain is parched (Sindhi) Rebus: bhaṭṭhā m. ‘kiln’ (P.) baṭa = a kind of iron (G.) bhaṭa ‘furnace’ (Gujarati) baṭa = kiln (Santali); bhaṭṭha -- m.n. ʻ gridiron (pkt.) baṭhu large cooking fire’ baṭhī f. ‘distilling furnace’; l. bhaṭṭh m. ‘grain—parcher's oven’, bhaṭṭhī f. ‘kiln, distillery’, awāṇ. bhaṭh; p. bhaṭṭh m., ṭhī f. ‘furnace’, bhaṭṭhā m. ‘kiln’; s. bhaṭṭhī keṇī ‘distil (spirits)’. (CDIAL 9656) Thus, the reading of the composite glyph: kneeling adorant + pot is read rebus: meḍ pattar + bhaṭa 'iron urnace (of) merchant guild'.
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On seal m1186A a kneeling adorant makes offerings. bārṇe, bāraṇe = an offering of food to a demon; a meal after fasting, a breakfast (Tu.) barada, barda, birada 'a vow' (Gujarati) Rebus: baran, bharat (5 copper, 4 zinc and 1 tin)(P.B.) A similar kneeling adorant now holds a wide-mouthed, rimless pot and makes an offering to the tree. baṭhu m. ‘large pot in which grain is parched (Sindhi) Rebus: bhaṭṭhā m. ‘kiln’ (P.) baṭa = a kind of iron (G.) bhaṭa ‘furnace’ (Gujarati) baṭa = kiln (Santali); bhaṭṭha -- m.n. ʻ gridiron (pkt.) baṭhu large cooking fire’ baṭhī f. ‘distilling furnace’; l. bhaṭṭh m. ‘grain—parcher's oven’, bhaṭṭhī f. ‘kiln, distillery’, awāṇ. bhaṭh; p. bhaṭṭh m., ṭhī f. ‘furnace’, bhaṭṭhā m. ‘kiln’; s. bhaṭṭhī keṇī ‘distil (spirits)’. (CDIAL 9656) Thus, the reading of the composite glyph: kneeling adorant + pot is read rebus: meḍ pattar + bhaṭa 'iron urnace (of) merchant guild'.Paṭṭar-ai community; guild as of workmen (Ta.); pattar merchants; perh. Vartaka (Skt.)వడ్లబత్తుడు vaḍrangi. [Tel.] n. A carpenter. బత్తుడు battuḍu. n. A worshipper. భక్తుడు. The caste title of all the five castes of artificers as వడ్లబత్తుడు a carpenter. కడుపుబత్తుడు one who makes a god of his belly. L. xvi. 230.(Telugu)
The merchant, battuḍu, pattar is shown in a worshipful state kneeling in adoration on many inscriptions.
Part 3. Text message (Tablet m478a to m480a)
Hieroglyphs (from. r to l):
battuḍu bhata, 'worshipper' rebus: bhaṭa ‘furnace’ PLUS OFFERING: barada, barda, birada 'a vow' (Gujarati) Rebus: baran, bharat (5 copper, 4 zinc and 1 tin).
Numeral four: gaṇḍa 'four' Rebus: kand 'fire-altar'. PLUS bhata, 'pot' rebus: bhaṭa ‘furnace’. Thus, the 'four linear strokes PLUS rimless pot' signifies: 'fire-altar (in) artisan's workshop'.
Body hieroglyph read rebus: Image may be NSFW.
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Circumscript of two linear strokes for 'body' hieroglyph: dula 'pair' Rebus: dul 'cast metal' koḍa ‘one’(Santali) Rebus: koḍ ‘artisan’s workshop' Thus, the circumscript signifies 'cast metal workshop' (with furnace) PLUS circumscribed body hieroglyph: meḍ 'body' Rebus: mẽṛhẽt 'iron' (Santali) meḍ 'iron' (Mu.Ho.); med 'copper' (Slavic).Together, the hypertext reds: dul meḍ koḍ 'metal casting, cast iron workshop'.
Hieroglyph: khareḍo 'a currycomb' (Gujarati) Rebus: kharādī ‘turner’ (Gujarati) खरडा kharaḍā m (खरडणें) Scrapings (as from a culinary utensil). 2 Bruised or coarsely broken peppercorns &c.: a mass of bruised मेथ्या &c. 3 also खरडें n A scrawl; a memorandum-scrap; a foul, blotted, interlined piece of writing. 4 also खरडें n A rude sketch; a rough draught; a foul copy; a waste-book; a day-book; a note-book. खरड kharaḍa f (खरडणें) A hurriedly written or drawn piece; a scrawl; a mere tracing or rude sketch. 2 Vehement reviling or abusing. v काढ g. of o. निघ g. of s. 3 The ashes and earth which gather about an ingot of metal during its formation. So called because to be detached they must be scraped off. खरडघाशा kharaḍaghāśā m (खरड & घासणें) A term of abuse for a bad writer, barber, carpenter &c.; quill-driver, scraper, chips. खरडणें
kharaḍaṇēṃ v c To scrape or rub off roughly: also to abrade or graze. 2 To rub up; to grub up; to root out (grass, weeds &c.) by pushing the instrument along. 3 To shave roughly, to scrape: also to write roughly, to scrawl: also to jot or note down; to make brief memoranda: also to draw roughly; to plough roughly; to grind roughly &c. &c. (Marathi).
The semantics of खरडें 'rough draft' explains why the hieroglyph occurs ONLY on tablets which are works-in-process documentation by scribes.
Thus, the inscriptions on tablet m478 to m480 complete the documentation of wealth-creating metalwork खरडा kharaḍā daybook.