Sutra 4

Devanagari script

सौभाग्यालंकारवृद्ध्या सहस्रेण वारं कनिष्ठं मध्यममुत्तमं वारोपयेत् छत्रभृङ्गारव्यजनशिबिकापीठिकारथेषु च विशेषार्थम् ॥ कZ_०२.२७.०४ ॥

Transliteration

saubhāgyālaṃkāravṛddhyā sahasreṇa vāraṃ kaniṣṭhaṃ madhyamam uttamaṃ vāropayet chatra-bhṛṅgāra-vyajana-śibikā-pīṭhikā-ratheṣu ca viśeṣārtham

Translation

With increase in attractiveness and adornment, the fee per engagement shall be raised by one thousand, classifying it as lower, middle, or superior; and special charges may apply for distinctions such as parasol, ornamented display, fan-attendants, palanquin, seat, and carriage.

Word by Word

• सौभाग्य-अलंकार-वृद्ध्या: by an increase/addition of auspicious ornaments (enhancing good fortune/appearance)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृध्
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया एकवचन; समासः—सौभाग्यस्य अलंकारस्य वृद्धिः (वृद्धि-शब्दः), तया

• सहस्रेण: by a thousand (as a unit/measure)
• Type: Noun (numeral)
• Root: सहस्र
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया एकवचन; करण/प्रमाण-तृतीया

• वारम्: the pay/allowance (rate)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वार
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन; कर्म

• कनिष्ठम्: lowest
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कनिष्ठ
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन; वारम् इति विशेषणम्

• मध्यमम्: middle
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मध्यम
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन; वारम् इति विशेषणम्

• उत्तमम्: highest
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन; वारम् इति विशेषणम्

• वार-उपयेत्: should apply/fix (the pay) / should increase (the rate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-इ
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष एकवचन; कर्म—वारम्; अर्थः—उपयोजयेत्/वर्धयेत्/प्रयुञ्जीत

• छत्र-भृङ्गार-व्यजन-शिबिका-पीठिका-रथेषु: in/for umbrellas, (ornamental) ewers, fans, palanquins, seats/stools, and chariots
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी बहुवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व-समासः (छत्र + भृङ्गार + व्यजन + शिबिका + पीठिका + रथ) ; अधिकरण

• च: and
• Type: Particle
• Root: च
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• विशेष-अर्थम्: for a special purpose / as a special (additional) consideration
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन; प्रयोजन/उद्देश्य-कारक (अर्थे द्वितीया)

Entities Mentioned

• gaṇikādhyakṣa
• courtesan establishment
• clients (implicit)

More Details

FAQs

What modern policy concept resembles this fee structure?

Tiered pricing with luxury surcharges—standard tariffs plus add-ons for premium service features.

Why would the state standardize such distinctions?

To prevent undercutting and disputes, ensure predictable taxation/revenue, and align pricing with perceived value and public display costs.