Chapter 2.30 turns cavalry maintenance into measurable standards and ration accounting so the army stays mobile and the treasury stays protected. It defines acceptance and retention through physical measurements and serviceability tests. It sets feeding norms and conditional medicinal supplementation to prevent disease and loss. It adds march/workload allowances to reduce fatigue attrition on long routes. It classifies horses and related animals by suitability and provenance for correct deployment. Using norms, categories, and records, it curbs leakage and replacement expenditure. It strengthens Daṇḍa/Bala while indirectly safeguarding Kośa through controlled logistics.
Sutra 2
अप्रशस्तन्यङ्गव्याधितांश्चावेदयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.३०.०२ ॥
He (the superintendent of horses) shall report horses that are unfit, defective in limb, or diseased.
Sutra 3
कोशकोष्ठागाराभ्यां च गृहीत्वा मासलाभमश्ववाहश्चिन्तयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.३०.०३ ॥
After taking (supplies/funds) from the treasury and the storehouse, the horse-officer shall compute the monthly net gain (balance) of the stable establishment.
Sutra 4
अश्वविभवेनायतामश्वायामद्विगुणविस्तारां चतुर्द्वारोपावर्तनमध्यां सप्रग्रीवां प्रद्वारासनफलकयुक्तानां वानरमयूरपृषतनकुलचकोरशुकसारिकाकीर्णां शालां निवेशयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.३०.०४ ॥
He shall construct a stable-hall proportionate to the horse-strength (capacity): its length according to the establishment, its breadth twice the horse-length; with four doors and a central turning-space; with a projecting front (portico/entry), and with benches and planks at the doors; and with the hall populated/ornamented with monkeys, peacocks, spotted deer, mongooses, partridges, parrots, and mynas (as a managed presence).
Sutra 5
अश्वायामचतुरश्रश्लक्ष्णफलकास्तारं सखादनकोष्ठकं समूत्रपुरीषोत्सर्गमेकैकशः प्रान्मुखमुदन्मुखं वा स्थानं निवेशयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.३०.०५ ॥
He shall arrange individual horse-stalls: square spaces of a horse-length, floored with smooth planks; each with a feeding compartment and with provision for discharge of urine and dung; the stalls to face east or north.
Sutra 6
शालावशेन वा दिग्विभागं कल्पयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.३०.०६ ॥
Or he may plan the directional divisions (orientation/layout) according to the constraints of the stable-hall.
Sutra 7
वडवावृषकिशोराणामेकान्तेषु ॥ कZ_०२.३०.०७ ॥
Mares, stallions, and young horses (colts/juveniles) shall be kept in separate, secluded sections.
Sutra 8
वडवायाः प्रजतायास्त्रिरात्रं घृतप्रस्थः पानम् ॥ कZ_०२.३०.०८ ॥
For a mare that has foaled, for three nights she shall be given a prastha-measure of ghee to drink.
Sutra 9
अत ऊर्ध्वं सक्तुप्रस्थः स्नेहभैषज्यप्रतिपानं दशरात्रम् ॥ कZ_०२.३०.०९ ॥
Thereafter, for ten nights, she shall receive a prastha of roasted-barley flour (saktu), along with repeated administration of oily/unctuous medicinal preparations.
Sutra 10
ततः पुलाको यवसमार्तवश्चाहारः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.१० ॥
After that, the diet shall be pulāka (cooked grain) and fodder, adjusted appropriately to the season.
Sutra 11
दशरात्रादूर्ध्वं किशोरस्य घृतचतुर्भागः सक्तुकुडुबः क्षीरप्रस्थश्चाहार आषण्मासात् ॥ कZ_०२.३०.११ ॥
After ten nights, for the young horse, the ration shall be: one-fourth (measure) of ghee, one kuḍuba of saktu, and one prastha of milk—up to the age of six months.
Sutra 12
ततः परं मासोत्तरमर्धवृद्धिर्यवप्रस्थ आत्रिवर्षात्द्रोण आचतुर्वर्षात् ॥ कZ_०२.३०.१२ ॥
Thereafter (as the horse grows), the allowance increases by a half-unit each additional month: barley up to one prastha until the third year, and up to one droṇa until the fourth year.
Sutra 13
अत ऊर्ध्वं चतुर्वर्षः पञ्चवर्षो वा कर्मण्यः पूर्णप्रमाणः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.१३ ॥
From then onward, a four-year-old—or alternatively a five-year-old—is fit for service and is to be treated as of full standard measure (full-rated).
Sutra 14
द्वात्रिंशदङ्गुलं मुखमुत्तमाश्वस्य पञ्चमुखान्यायामो विंशत्यङ्गुला जङ्घा चतुर्जङ्घ उत्सेधः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.१४ ॥
For a first-rate horse: the face (head-length) is 32 aṅgulas; the body-length is five ‘faces’; the shank (lower leg) is 20 aṅgulas; and the height is four shanks.
Sutra 15
त्र्यङ्गुलावरं मध्यमावरयोः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.१५ ॥
For the middle and lower grades, the standard is reduced by three aṅgulas (from the first-rate specification).
Sutra 16
शताङ्गुलः परिणाहः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.१६ ॥
The girth (circumference) is 100 aṅgulas.
Sutra 17
पञ्चभागावरो मध्यमावरयोः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.१७ ॥
For the middle and lower grades, it is reduced by one-fifth (from the first-rate standard).
Sutra 18
उत्तमाश्वस्य द्विद्रोणं शालिव्रीहियवप्रियङ्गूणामर्धशुष्कमर्धसिद्धं वा मुद्गमाषाणां वा पुलाकः स्नेहप्रस्थश्च पञ्चपलं लवणस्य मांसं पञ्चाशत्पलिकं रसस्याढकं द्विगुणं वा दध्नः पिण्डक्लेदनार्थं क्षारपञ्चपलिकः सुरायाः प्रस्थः पयसो वा द्विगुणः प्रतिपानम् ॥ कZ_०२.३०.१८ ॥
For a first-rate horse: two droṇas of rice (śāli), rice (vrīhi), barley, or priyaṅgu—half-dry or half-cooked; or alternatively a gruel/porridge of mudga and māṣa. Also: one prastha of fat/oil; five palas of salt; fifty palas of meat; one āḍhaka of broth/juice; or double that amount of curd. For moistening the feed-balls: five palas of alkali. As a drink: one prastha of beer, or twice as much milk.
Sutra 19
दीर्घपथभारक्लान्तानां च खादनार्थं स्नेहप्रस्थोऽनुवासनं कुडुबो नस्यकर्मणः यवसस्यार्धभारस्तृणस्य द्विगुणः षडरत्निपरिक्षेपः पुञ्जीलग्रहो वा ॥ कZ_०२.३०.१९ ॥
For those exhausted by long travel and heavy loads: for feeding, one prastha of fat/oil; for oil-enema treatment (anuvāsana), one kuḍuba; for nasal treatment, one kuḍuba. Fodder: half a bhāra of yavas (green fodder), and twice that amount of grass. (Storage/collection is to be arranged) either within a six-aratni enclosure or by the puñjīla method (bundled/stacked collection).
Sutra 20
पादावरमेतन्मध्यमावरयोः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.२० ॥
For the middle and lower grades, this allowance is reduced by one quarter.
Sutra 21
उत्तमसमो रथ्यो वृषश्च मध्यमः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.२१ ॥
A carriage-horse (rathya) is to be treated as equivalent to a first-rate (horse); and a bull (vṛṣa) corresponds to the middle grade.
Sutra 22
मध्यमसमश्चावरः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.२२ ॥
Among (horses fit for use), the remaining grades are: medium, equal/average, and inferior.
Sutra 23
पादहीनं वडवानां पारशमानां च ॥ कZ_०२.३०.२३ ॥
For mares and for Pāraśama-type horses, a deduction is made when the animal is deficient in the feet (i.e., has foot/hoof defects).
Sutra 24
अतोऽर्धं किशोराणां च ॥ कZ_०२.३०.२४ ॥
From that standard valuation, half applies in the case of colts/young horses as well.
Sutra 25
इति विधायोगः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.२५ ॥
Thus is the prescribed procedure/regulatory method.
Sutra 26
विधापाचकसूत्रग्राहकचिकित्सकाः प्रतिस्वादभाजः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.२६ ॥
The ration-preparer, the fodder-measurer (lit. ‘string/tally-taker’), and the veterinarian are entitled to a share of the tasting/quality-check allotment (i.e., perquisites linked to inspection/consumption testing).
Sutra 27
युद्धव्याधिजराकर्मक्षीणाः पिण्डगोचरिकाः स्युः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.२७ ॥
Horses worn down by war, disease, old age, or work shall be maintained on lump rations and allowed to graze (i.e., shifted to a low-intensity upkeep regime).
Sutra 28
असमरप्रयोग्याः पौरजानपदानामर्थेन वृषा वडवास्वायोज्याः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.२८ ॥
Animals not fit for battlefield use shall be assigned as studs for mares, financed from the resources of townsmen and countryside communities (i.e., supported through local funds/levies).
Sutra 29
प्रयोग्यानामुत्तमाः काम्बोजसैन्धवारट्टवनायुजाः मध्यमा बाह्लीकपापेयकसौवीरकतैतलाः शेषाः प्रत्यवराः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.२९ ॥
Among serviceable horses, the best are the Kāmbhoja, Saindhava, Rāṭṭa, and Vana-yuja types; the medium are the Bāhlīka, Pāpeyaka, Sauvīraka, and Taitala; the rest are relatively inferior.
Sutra 30
तेषां तीष्क्णभद्रमन्दवशेन साम्नाह्यमौपवाह्यकं वा कर्म प्रयोजयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.३०.३० ॥
For them, work should be assigned—either harnessed duty or carrying/transport duty—according to whether they are sharp/spirited, good/steady, or dull/slow.
Sutra 31
चतुरश्रं कर्माश्वस्य साम्नाह्यम् ॥ कZ_०२.३०.३१ ॥
For a work-horse, ‘harnessed service’ (sāmnāhya) is the four-sided/rectangular duty arrangement (i.e., work in a quadrangular formation/rig).
Sutra 32
वल्गनो नीचैर्गतो लङ्घनो घोरणो नारोष्ट्रश्चाउपवाह्याः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.३२ ॥
The (principal) riding gaits/ways of moving a horse are: valgana, nīcairgata, laṅghana, ghoraṇa, and nāroṣṭra—used for mounted conveyance.
Sutra 33
तत्राउपवेणुको वर्धमानको यमक आलीढप्लुतः पृथुगस्त्रिकचाली च वल्गनः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.३३ ॥
Among these, the valgana gait has the following variants: aupaveṇuka, vardhamānaka, yamaka, ālīḍhapluta, and pṛthugastrikacālī.
Sutra 34
स एव शिरःकर्णविशुद्धो नीचैर्गतः षोडशमार्गो वा ॥ कZ_०२.३०.३४ ॥
That same (regulated movement), when executed with a clean/steady head-and-ear carriage, is called nīcairgata; it is (also described as) a ‘sixteen-pattern’ course.
Sutra 35
प्रकीर्णकः प्रकीर्णोत्तरो निषण्णः पार्श्वानुवृत्त ऊर्मिमार्गः शरभक्रीडितः शरभप्लुतस्त्रितालो बाह्यानुवृत्तः पञ्चपाणिः सिंहायतः स्वाधूतः क्लिष्टः श्लिङ्गितो बृंहितः पुष्पाभिकीर्णश्चेति नीचैर्गतमार्गः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.३५ ॥
The nīcairgata course consists of these (named) patterns: prakīrṇaka, prakīrṇottara, niṣaṇṇa, pārśvānuvṛtta, ūrmimārga, śarabhakrīḍita, śarabhapluta, tritāla, bāhyānuvṛtta, pañcapāṇi, siṃhāyata, svādhūta, kliṣṭa, śliṅgita, bṛṃhita, and puṣpābhikīrṇa.
Sutra 36
कपिप्लुतो भेकप्लुदेणप्लुतैकपादप्लुतः कोकिलसंचार्युरस्यो बकचारी च लङ्घनः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.३६ ॥
The laṅghana (leaping/bounding movement) includes: kapipluta, bhekapluta, eṇapluta, ekapādapluta, kokilasaṃcāry-urasya, and bakacārī.
Sutra 37
काङ्को वारिकाङ्को मायूरोऽर्धमायूरो नाकुलोर्धनाकुलो वाराहोऽर्धवाराहश्चेति धोरणः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.३७ ॥
The ghoraṇa movement includes: kāṅka, vārikāṅka, māyūra, ardhamāyūra, nākula, ardhanākula, vārāha, and ardhavārāha.
Sutra 38
संज्ञाप्रतिकारो नारोष्ट्रेति ॥ कZ_०२.३०.३८ ॥
“Nāroṣṭra” is a technical designation (a term defined by convention/usage).
Sutra 39
षण्णव द्वादशेति योजनान्य् ध्वा रथ्यानाम् पञ्च योजनान्यर्धाष्टमानि दशेति पृष्ठवाहिनामश्वानामध्वा ॥ कZ_०२.३०.३९ ॥
The travel-distance (standard stages) for chariot-road horses is 6, 9, or 12 yojanas; for back-borne (saddle/pack) horses it is 5, 7½, or 10 yojanas.
Sutra 40
विक्रमो भद्राश्वासो भारवाह्य इति मार्गाः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.४० ॥
The (operational) modes are: vikrama, bhadrāśvāsa, and bhāravāhya.
Sutra 41
विक्रमो वल्गितमुपकण्ठमुपजवो जवश्च धाराः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.४१ ॥
Within vikrama, the speed-gradations are: valgita, upakaṇṭha, upajava, and java.
Sutra 42
बन्धनोपकरणं योग्याचार्याः प्रतिदिशेयुः सांग्रामिकं रथाश्वालंकारं च सूताः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.४२ ॥
Qualified trainers shall prescribe the proper harnessing equipment for the horses; charioteers shall prescribe the fittings and ornaments for war and for chariot-horses.
Sutra 43
अश्वानां चिकित्सकाः शरीरह्रासवृद्धिप्रतीकारमृतुविभक्तं चाहारम् ॥ कZ_०२.३०.४३ ॥
Veterinarians for horses shall provide remedies for bodily wasting and overgrowth/over-conditioning, and shall regulate feed according to the seasons.
Sutra 44
सूत्रग्राहकाश्वबन्धकयावसिकविधापाचकस्थानपालकेशकारजाङ्गुलीविदश्च स्वकर्मभिरश्वानाराधयेयुः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.४४ ॥
Rein-handlers, horse-tethers, fodder-men, measure-and-feed preparers/cooks, stall-keepers, grooms, and hoof/leg specialists shall attend to the horses through their respective duties.
Sutra 45
कर्मातिक्रमे चैषां दिवसवेतनच्छेदनं कुर्यात् ॥ कZ_०२.३०.४५ ॥
If they neglect or overstep their assigned work, their daily wage shall be docked.
Sutra 46
नीराजनोपरुद्धं वाहयतश्चिकित्सकोपरुद्धं वा द्वादशपणो दण्डः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.४६ ॥
For making a horse work when it is withheld from service due to (official) inspection/clearance, or when it is withheld by the veterinarian, the fine is twelve paṇas.
Sutra 47
क्रियाभैषज्यसङ्गेन व्याधिवृद्धौ प्रतीकारद्विगुणो दण्डः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.४७ ॥
If, due to faulty procedure or medicines, the disease increases, the penalty is twice the cost of the remedy.
Sutra 48
तदपराधेन वैलोम्ये पत्त्रमूल्यं दण्डः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.४८ ॥
If, by that fault, the animal dies, the fine is the animal’s assessed value.
Sutra 49
तेन गोमण्डलं खरोष्ट्रमहिषमजाविकं च व्याख्यातम् ॥ कZ_०२.३०.४९ ॥
By this, the regulations are also explained as applying to herds of cattle, and to donkeys, camels, buffaloes, goats, and sheep.
Sutra 50
कृष्णसंधिषु भूतेज्याः शुक्लेषु स्वस्तिवाचनम् ॥ कZ_०२.३०.५०च्द् ॥
At the junction-days of the dark fortnight, offerings to protective spirits shall be performed; in the bright fortnight, auspicious benedictions shall be recited.
Sutra 51
यात्रादाववसाने वा व्याधौ वा शान्तिके रतः ॥ कZ_०२.३०.५१च्द् ॥
He should be devoted to pacificatory rites (śānti) at the beginning of a campaign, at its conclusion, or in the event of illness.
Stable cavalry readiness and reduced animal mortality: standardized feed, supplements, and rest/treatment for fatigue preserve the state’s mobility and shock capacity, preventing costly replacement and ensuring reliable campaign tempo.
This unit itself does not state a specific fine; within the Arthashastra’s superintendent framework, deviation from prescribed measures implies liability for negligence, wastage, and misappropriation—typically punished through fines, restitution, or dismissal under the Aśvādhyakṣa’s audits and the general disciplinary code for adhyakṣas and their staff.