Arthashastra — Adhyakshaprachara, Sutra 44

Devanagari script

षड्भागः सूपः अर्धस्नेहमवराणाम् ॥ कZ_०२.१५.४४ ॥

Transliteration

ṣaḍbhāgaḥ sūpaḥ ardhasneham avarāṇām

Translation

للمستحقين من الدرجة الأدنى: يكون الحساء (sūpa) بمقدار السدس، ويكون الزيت/السمن بمقدار النصف (من المخصص القياسي).

Word by Word

• षड्भागः: one-sixth share (tax/royal due)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाग
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन; षड् + भाग = षड्भाग (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: ‘षड्-भागः’ = ‘one-sixth part’)

• सूपः: soup, broth, gruel
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूप
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन

• अर्धस्नेहम्: half (a measure of) fat/oil/ghee
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नेह
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-एकवचन; अर्ध + स्नेह = अर्धस्नेह (half of fat/oil)

• अवराणाम्: of the lower (rank/class)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अवर
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-बहुवचन; ‘of the lower/inferior (class/persons)’

Entities Mentioned

• avarāḥ (lower-grade recipients)
• sūpa
• sneha (oil/ghee)

More Details

FAQs

What is the political-administrative rationale for 'lower-grade' rationing?

It institutionalizes tiered compensation/maintenance aligned with rank, keeping the wage bill predictable and administratively enforceable.