Sutra 4

Devanagari script

पक्षिमृगाणां जीवत् षड्भागमभयवनेषु प्रमुञ्चेत् ॥ कZ_०२.२६.०४ ॥

Transliteration

pakṣimṛgāṇāṃ jīvat ṣaḍbhāgam abhayavaneṣu pramuñcet

Translation

He should release one-sixth of captured birds and wild animals alive into the sanctuaries (abhayavanas).

Word by Word

• पक्षि-मृगाणाम्: of birds and wild animals
• Type: Noun
• Root: पक्षिन्; मृग
• Form: षष्ठी-बहुवचनम् (gen. pl.); समाहार/इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः; ‘पक्षिणां च मृगाणां च’

• जीवत्: alive; living (i.e., alive ones)
• Type: Participle (Adjectival)
• Root: जीव्
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्तः (शतृ/शतॄ) ‘जीवत्’; नपुंसकलिङ्गे एकवचनम्—‘जीवत् (मांसम्/देहम्)’ इत्यर्थे कर्मविशेषणम्

• षड्भागम्: the one-sixth share (due to the state)
• Type: Noun
• Root: षड्; भाग
• Form: द्वितीया-एकवचनम् (acc. sg.), पुंलिङ्गः; ‘षड्-भागः’ = one-sixth share

• अभयवनेषु: in protected forests (sanctuaries)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभय; वन
• Form: सप्तमी-बहुवचनम् (loc. pl.), नपुंसकलिङ्गः; ‘अभय-वन’ = protected/safe forest

• प्रमुञ्चेत्: should release / should set free
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + मुच्
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; ‘he should release/let go’

Entities Mentioned

• abhayavana (sanctuary)
• birds
• wild animals

More Details

FAQs

What is the administrative intent behind releasing one-sixth of captured wildlife?

To maintain breeding stock and replenish wildlife populations in protected areas, ensuring long-term sustainability and state control over forest resources.

What is an ‘abhayavana’ in Kautilya’s administrative vocabulary?

A designated protected forest where certain animals/birds are safeguarded from harm, functioning as a state-managed sanctuary.