Chapter 2.34 turns movement itself into a fortification: verify, support, and surveil circulation so trade thrives while infiltration fails. It defines frontier security as control of entry/exit and route governance, not merely walls. It pairs facilitation (passes, maintained routes, wells/embankments) with deterrence (penalties for forged seals/documents). It targets liminal spaces—forests, lowlands, village edges, trade corridors—as prime zones for thieves and enemy agents. It builds layered early-warning communications: sound signals, fast riders, pigeons, smoke/fire relays. Strategic outcome: steady treasury/provisioning flows and denial of covert access to the amitra, preventing matsya-nyāya in the hinterland.
Sutra 1
मुद्राध्यक्षो मुद्रां माषकेण दद्यात् ॥ कZ_०२.३४.०१ ॥
The Superintendent of Seals should issue a seal/pass on payment of one māṣaka.
Sutra 2
समुद्रो जनपदं प्रवेष्टुं निष्क्रमितुं वा लभेत ॥ कZ_०२.३४.०२ ॥
A sea-trader/overseas traveller should obtain authorization to enter or exit the kingdom.
Sutra 3
द्वादशपणममुद्रो जानपदो दद्यात् ॥ कZ_०२.३४.०३ ॥
An inland resident (non-maritime traveller) should pay twelve paṇas for a pass (i.e., when issued without the ‘samudra’ category).
Sutra 4
कूटमुद्रायां पूर्वः साहसदण्डः तिरोजनपदस्योत्तमः ॥ कZ_०२.३४.०४ ॥
For counterfeiting (the royal) seal, the penalty is the earlier-stated sāhasa fine; but for one who forges a seal in order to pass into/through another country (under false authority), the highest penalty is to be imposed.
Sutra 5
विवीताध्यक्षो मुद्रां पश्येत् ॥ कZ_०२.३४.०५ ॥
The superintendent of the vīvīta shall inspect/verify the seal.
Sutra 6
ग्रामान्तरेषु च विवीतं स्थापयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.३४.०६ ॥
He shall establish vīvīta posts/settlements in the intervals between villages as well.
Sutra 7
चोरव्यालभयान्निम्नारण्यानि शोधयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.३४.०७ ॥
Because of fear of thieves and wild beasts, he shall clear/inspect low-lying forests.
Sutra 8
अनुदके कूपसेतुबन्धोत्सान् स्थापयेत्पुष्पफलवाटांश्च ॥ कZ_०२.३४.०८ ॥
In water-scarce areas, he shall establish wells, embankments/bridges and bunds, and also orchards and flower/fruit gardens.
Sutra 9
लुब्धकश्वगणिनः परिव्रजेयुररण्यानि ॥ कZ_०२.३४.०९ ॥
Bands of hunters and dog-handlers shall range through the forests.
Sutra 10
तस्करामित्राभ्यागमे शङ्खदुन्दुभिशब्दमग्राह्याः कुर्युः शैलवृक्षाधिरूढा वा शीघ्रवाहना वा ॥ कZ_०२.३४.१० ॥
On the approach of bandits or an enemy, they shall raise an alarm by conch and drum signals; they may do so from hills or atop trees, or by swift-mounted messengers.
Sutra 11
अमित्राटवीसंचारं च राज्ञो गृहकपोतैर्मुद्रायुक्तैर्हारयेत्धूमाग्निपरम्परया वा ॥ कZ_०२.३४.११ ॥
He shall convey to the king information about enemy movement through the forest, by means of domesticated pigeons bearing sealed tokens, or else by a chain of smoke-and-fire signals.
Sutra 12
सार्थातिवाह्यं गोरक्ष्यं व्यवहारं च कारयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.३४.१२च्द् ॥
He shall arrange for caravan-transport, protection of cattle, and the conduct/settlement of transactions and disputes.
Safe, predictable movement of people and goods; reduced banditry; quicker response to threats; sustained trade and provisioning—thereby stabilizing rural life and increasing reliable revenue without allowing enemy infiltration.
For counterfeit seals (kūṭamudrā), the prescribed sāhasa fine applies—earlier/standard rate within the realm and the highest rate for outsiders/those beyond the janapada (tirojanapada). Unauthorized or unverified movement is deterred through fees, inspection, and escalated punishment when linked to theft or hostile entry.