Sutra 17

Devanagari script

व्यवस्थितार्यमर्यादः कृतवर्णाश्रमस्थितिः ॥ कZ_०१.३.१७अब् ॥

Transliteration

vyavasthitāryamaryādaḥ kṛtavarṇāśramasthitiḥ

Translation

ينبغي له (للحاكم/للمملكة) أن تكون لديه معايير سلوك راسخة لمجتمع الآريا (المتحضّر)، وأن يُقيم على نحوٍ صحيح استقرار نظام الفَرْنَة (الطبقات) والآشرَمة (مراحل الحياة).

Word by Word

• व्यवस्थित: well-ordered; properly established
• Type: Participle (Verbal adjective)
• Root: √स्था (स्था) उपसर्गः वि+अव
• Form: कृदन्त; भूतकर्मणि/भूतभावे क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (व्यवस्थित = well-established/regulated); पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-एकवचनम् (समासे पूर्वपदम्)

• आर्य-मर्यादः: one whose boundaries/standards are those of the civilized (Ārya) code of conduct
• Type: Noun (compound)
• Root: आर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + मर्यादा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः; पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; आर्य-मर्यादः = आर्या मर्यादा यस्य सः (आर्य-मान्य-सीमा/आचार-सीमा युक्तः)

• कृत: made; established; instituted
• Type: Participle (Verbal adjective)
• Root: √कृ (कृ)
• Form: कृदन्त; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-एकवचनम् (समासे पूर्वपदम्)

• वर्णाश्रम-स्थितिः: the established order/arrangement of varṇa and āśrama (social and life-stage system)
• Type: Noun (compound)
• Root: वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + आश्रम (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थिति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः; स्त्रीलिङ्गे प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; वर्णाश्रम-स्थितिः = वर्णाश्रमस्य स्थितिः (वर्ण-आश्रम-व्यवस्था/स्थिति)

Entities Mentioned

• ārya-maryādā
• varṇa
• āśrama

More Details

FAQs

What is the strategic objective (Artha) of this verse?

To secure predictable internal order by stabilizing enforceable social norms and role-based duties, reducing conflict and administrative uncertainty so the state can focus on security and prosperity.

How does this apply to modern governance?

Modern states similarly require clear, consistently enforced rules and stable institutions (rule of law, standardized procedures, civic norms). The functional equivalent is not a caste system, but predictable legal-administrative frameworks that minimize arbitrariness and social friction.

What is the specific duty of the ruler/official mentioned?

To institutionalize and uphold clear behavioral standards and a stable framework of duties/roles in society, using policy and enforcement to maintain public order and social coherence.