Sutra 2

Devanagari script

समुद्रो जनपदं प्रवेष्टुं निष्क्रमितुं वा लभेत ॥ कZ_०२.३४.०२ ॥

Transliteration

samudro janapadaṃ praveṣṭuṃ niṣkramituṃ vā labheta

Translation

A sea-trader/overseas traveller should obtain authorization to enter or exit the kingdom.

Word by Word

• समुद्रः: the sea/ocean
• Type: Noun
• Root: समुद्र
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-एकवचनम्

• जनपदम्: a territory/realm (janapada)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जनपद
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-एकवचनम्

• प्रवेष्टुम्: to enter
• Type: Verb (Infinitive)
• Root: प्र-विश्
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्तः (infinitive), ‘प्रवेशं कर्तुम्’

• निष्क्रमितुम्: to go out/exit
• Type: Verb (Infinitive)
• Root: निस्-क्रम्
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्तः (infinitive), ‘निष्क्रमणं कर्तुम्’

• वा: or
• Type: Particle
• Root: वा
• Form: अव्ययम्; विकल्पार्थक-निपातः

• लभेत: may be able to / may obtain (permission/possibility)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लभ्
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्

Entities Mentioned

• maritime/overseas traveller or trader (samudra)
• kingdom/territory (janapada)

More Details

FAQs

Why would the Arthashastra require permits for entry/exit by overseas travellers?

To manage security risks (spies, contraband, disease), regulate commerce, and maintain state visibility over cross-border movement.