Sutra 37

Devanagari script

पृथिवी कोशदण्डाभ्यां प्राप्यते कोशभूषणा ॥ कZ_०२.१२.३७च्द् ॥

Transliteration

pṛthivī kośa-daṇḍābhyāṃ prāpyate kośa-bhūṣaṇā

Translation

Territory (pṛthivī) is obtained through treasury and coercive power; and it, in turn, becomes an ornament—an enhancement—of the treasury.

Word by Word

• पृथिवी: the earth; (in Arthaśāstra) the kingdom/territory
• Type: Noun
• Root: पृथिवी
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गः, प्रथमा एकवचनम्

• कोश-दण्डाभ्याम्: by the treasury and the coercive power (army/punishment)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कोश + दण्ड
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, तृतीया द्विवचनम्; साधनकरणे (instrumental: 'by/with')

• प्राप्यते: is obtained/attained
• Type: Verb
• Root: √आप् (प्र + √आप्)
• Form: लट्-लकारः, कर्मणि प्रयोगः (passive), प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्

• कोश-भूषणा: (she/it) who/which is an ornament to the treasury; treasury-enhancing
• Type: Noun
• Root: कोश + भूषण
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गः, प्रथमा एकवचनम्; 'कोशस्य भूषणम्/भूषणा' = that which adorns/enhances the treasury

Entities Mentioned

• territory/realm
• treasury
• army/enforcement

More Details

FAQs

How does Kauṭilya link conquest to fiscal policy?

Conquest requires funding and force (kośa + daṇḍa), but successful acquisition increases taxable base and resource control, thereby strengthening the treasury for further governance.