Sutra 4

Devanagari script

कूटमुद्रायां पूर्वः साहसदण्डः तिरोजनपदस्योत्तमः ॥ कZ_०२.३४.०४ ॥

Transliteration

kūṭamudrāyāṃ pūrvaḥ sāhasadaṇḍaḥ tirojanapadasyottamaḥ

Translation

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.

Word by Word

कूटमुद्रायाम्in/with regard to a forged seal

पूर्वःthe first (i.e., the lower/earlier grade)

साहसदण्डःthe penalty prescribed for ‘sāhasa’ (violent/forcible offence)

तिरोजनपदस्यof a foreign country/another realm

उत्तमःthe highest (grade)

Entities Mentioned

mudrā (seal)

janapada (territory/state)

daṇḍa (penalty)

FAQs

What administrative risk is Kautilya targeting by penalizing kūṭamudrā?

The risk that forged state authentication enables unauthorized movement, false orders, and cross-jurisdictional infiltration—undermining fiscal and security control.

Why is the penalty higher when the forgery facilitates entering another janapada?

Because it amplifies strategic harm: it enables espionage, desertion, illegal trade, and hostile penetration across borders, so deterrence must be maximal.