Sutra 38

Devanagari script

शोधयेत्पशुसंघैश्च क्षीयमाणं वणिक्पथम् ॥ कZ_०२.०१.३८च्द् ॥

Transliteration

śodhayet paśu-saṃghaiś ca kṣīyamāṇaṃ vaṇik-patham

Translation

He should restore and secure a trade route that is declining, including by organizing it with livestock-convoys (caravans) and associated support.

Word by Word

• शोधयेत्: he should remedy/clear (it)
• Type: Verb
• Root: शुध्/शोध् (Caus. √शुध्)
• Form: लिङ् (विधिलिङ्), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; धातोः णिच्-प्रत्ययेन कारणार्थकः (causative)

• पशु-संघैः: by/with herds of animals
• Type: Noun
• Root: पशु + संघ
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः; तृतीया बहुवचनम्; ‘पशूनां संघाः’ इति विग्रहः

• च: and
• Type: Particle
• Root: च
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्ययम्

• क्षीयमाणम्: declining / being diminished
• Type: Participle
• Root: क्षि (क्षीयते)
• Form: वर्तमानकालिकः कर्मणि कृदन्तः (शानच्/मान); नपुंसकलिङ्गः, द्वितीया एकवचनम्; ‘वणिक्पथम्’ इति विशेषणम्

• वणिक्-पथम्: the merchants’ route / trade road
• Type: Noun
• Root: वणिक् + पथ
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः; द्वितीया एकवचनम्; ‘वणिजां पथः’ इति विग्रहः

Entities Mentioned

• vaṇik (merchants)
• vaṇik-patha (trade route)
• paśu-saṃgha (caravan/herd-convoy)
• rājā (implied state actor)

More Details

FAQs

What does 'śodhayet' imply beyond policing?

It implies making the route functional again: clearing threats, correcting abuses, and restoring confidence so merchants resume movement.

Why mention livestock-convoys in trade-route policy?

Caravans (often involving pack animals and herds) are the practical unit of commerce and transport; organizing them improves safety, scale, and reliability.