Arthashastra — Adhyakshaprachara, Sutra 18

Devanagari script

शोभावशेन व्यायामं भद्र्म मन्दं च कारयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.३१.१८अब् ॥

Transliteration

śobhāvaśena vyāyāmaṃ bhadrma mandaṃ ca kārayet

Translation

পশুৰ অৱস্থা/শোভা অনুসৰি তাক ব্যায়াম কৰাব—জোৰে (ভদ্ৰ) বা ধীৰে (মন্দ)।

Word by Word

• शोभावशेन: according to (the state of) bodily appearance/fitness; under the criterion of good condition
• Type: Noun (instrumental phrase)
• Root: शोभा + वश
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग? ‘वश’ (पुं) — तृतीया एकवचन; समासः ‘शोभायाः वशः’ → ‘शोभावश’; तृतीया: शोभावशेन = ‘शोभा-नियन्त्रणेन/अनुसारतः’

• व्यायामम्: physical exercise; training
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यायाम
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया एकवचन

• भद्रम्: wholesome; beneficial; proper
• Type: Adjective (used adverbially)
• Root: भद्र
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया एकवचन; ‘व्यायामम्’ का विशेषण—‘भद्रं (व्यायामम्)’ = हितकर/उचित

• मन्दम्: mild; gentle; not intense
• Type: Adjective (used adverbially)
• Root: मन्द
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया एकवचन; ‘व्यायामम्’ का विशेषण—‘मन्दं (व्यायामम्)’ = अल्प/मृदु/अतितीव्र-रहित

• च: and
• Type: Particle
• Root: च
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय

• कारयेत्: should cause (someone) to do; should have (it) done
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (णिच्)
• Form: धातु: कृ; णिच् (causative) ‘कारय-’; विधिलिङ्/आज्ञार्थे (optative) परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष एकवचन

Entities Mentioned

• trainer/mahout
• elephant corps

More Details

FAQs

What management principle is expressed here?

Adaptive training: intensity should be calibrated to observed condition, balancing readiness with injury prevention.

How does this support state capacity?

It improves reliability of the elephant corps by reducing attrition and maximizing performance through individualized conditioning.