Sutra 12

Devanagari script

षण्डेभ्यः शाकमूलकन्दादाने पादोनं द्विपञ्चाशत्पणो दण्डः ॥ कZ_०२.२२.१२ ॥

Transliteration

ṣaṇḍebhyaḥ śākamūlakandādāne pādonaṃ dvipañcāśatpaṇo daṇḍaḥ

Translation

For taking vegetables, roots, or tubers from groves/plantations, the fine is fifty-two paṇas less one quarter (i.e., 39 paṇas).

Word by Word

• षण्डेभ्यः: from/with respect to eunuchs (ṣaṇḍas)
• Type: Noun
• Root: षण्ड
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; पञ्चमी विभक्ति; बहुवचन

• शाकमूलकन्दादाने: in the taking/appropriation of vegetables, roots, and tubers
• Type: Noun (action noun/gerundial compound)
• Root: दा (दाने)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी विभक्ति; एकवचन; समास: शाक + मूल + कन्द + आदान (आ-√दा ‘taking/appropriating’)

• पादोनम्: a quarter less (by one-fourth)
• Type: Adjective (numeral/measure)
• Root: पाद + ऊन
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया; एकवचन; ‘पाद-ऊन’ = ‘एक पाद (चतुर्थांश) से कम’

• द्विपञ्चाशत्पणः: a fine of fifty-two paṇas
• Type: Noun (numeral compound)
• Root: पण
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचन; समास: द्वि + पञ्चाशत् (52) + पण; ‘द्विपञ्चाशत्’ = 52

• दण्डः: the penalty/fine
• Type: Noun
• Root: दण्ड
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचन

Entities Mentioned

• groves/plantations
• vegetables
• roots
• tubers

More Details

FAQs

What does the fractional reduction (one quarter less) suggest about Kautilya’s penalty design?

Penalties are calibrated to commodity class and value; lower-value or more common produce receives proportionately reduced fines while maintaining deterrence.