Sutra 4

Devanagari script

तेषां कर्मफलविनिपाते तत्फलहानं दण्डः ॥ कZ_०२.२४.०४ ॥

Transliteration

teṣāṃ karmaphalavinipāte tatphalahānaṃ daṇḍaḥ

Translation

If, in the execution of their assigned work, the resulting yield/output is spoiled or misapplied, the penalty shall be the loss (forfeiture) of that very result/benefit.

Word by Word

• तेषाम्: of them / their
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: षष्ठी-बहुवचनम् (Genitive plural), पुं/नपुं (contextual)

• कर्मफलविनिपाते: in the event of the loss/ruin (miscarriage) of the result of their work
• Type: Noun
• Root: विनिपात (वि-नि-√पत्)
• Form: सप्तमी-एकवचनम् (Locative singular), पुंलिङ्ग; समासः: कर्मफलस्य विनिपातः = कर्मफलविनिपातः

• तत्-फल-हानम्: the forfeiture/loss of that result (i.e., of the due outcome)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हानि (√हा)
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम् (Nominative singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग; समासः: तस्य फलस्य हानिः = तत्फलहानिः (नपुंसके प्रथमा एकवचनम्: -म्)

• दण्डः: is the penalty/punishment
• Type: Noun
• Root: दण्ड
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम् (Nominative singular), पुंलिङ्ग

Entities Mentioned

• state workers/officials (implied)

More Details

FAQs

What is the administrative logic of this penalty?

It ties punishment to the measurable outcome (yield/output), discouraging negligence and aligning incentives with state productivity.

Who is likely targeted by 'teṣām' here?

Officials or workers entrusted with state-regulated agricultural/irrigation operations, where outputs can be audited.