Sutra 42
Devanagari script
चेतनाचेतनिकं रात्रिदोषमशंसतो नागरिकस्य दोषानुरूपो दण्डः प्रमादस्थाने च ॥ कZ_०२.३६.४२ ॥
Transliteration
cetanācetanikaṃ rātridoṣam aśaṃsato nāgarikasya doṣānurūpo daṇḍaḥ pramādasthāne ca.
Translation
If a night-time offence—whether intentional (by persons) or accidental (non-intentional)—is not reported, the city superintendent (nāgarika) is punished in proportion to the offence; likewise for negligence at known points of laxity (pramāda-sthāna).
Word by Word
चेतन-अचेतनिकम्(an act) intentional or unintentional
चेतन-अचेतनिकम्:
TypeAdjective (used substantively)
Rootचेतन / अचेतन
Formनपुंसकलिङ्गे एकवचनम्; द्वन्द्वसमासः; कर्म/वस्तु-विशेषणरूपेण
रात्रि-दोषम्the offence committed at night
रात्रि-दोषम्:
TypeNoun
Rootदुष् (दोष)
Formपुंलिङ्गे एकवचनम् द्वितीया; रात्रेः दोषः = रात्रिदोषः
अशंसतःof (a person) not reporting / not informing
अशंसतः:
TypeParticiple (verbal adjective)
Rootशंस्
Formवर्तमानकाले शतृ-प्रत्ययान्तः; पुंलिङ्गे एकवचनम् षष्ठी (genitive) — ‘of one who does not report/declare’
नागरिकस्यof the Nāgarika (city superintendent)
नागरिकस्य:
TypeNoun
Rootनगर
Formपुंलिङ्गे एकवचनम् षष्ठी; ‘नगर-सम्बद्धः’
दोष-अनुरूपःproportionate to the offence
दोष-अनुरूपः:
TypeAdjective
Rootरूप
Formपुंलिङ्गे एकवचनम् प्रथमा; दोषस्य अनुरूपः
दण्डःthe punishment / penalty
दण्डः:
TypeNoun
Rootदण्ड
Formपुंलिङ्गे एकवचनम् प्रथमा
प्रमाद-स्थानेin a case of negligence / at the place (ground) of negligence
प्रमाद-स्थाने:
TypeNoun (locative expression)
Rootस्था
Formनपुंसकलिङ्गे एकवचनम् सप्तमी; प्रमादस्य स्थानम्
चand
च:
TypeParticle
Rootच
Formसमुच्चयार्थक अव्ययम्
Entities Mentioned
N
nāgarika (city superintendent)FAQs
The superintendent is held accountable for non-reporting and for lax supervision at predictable weak points, aligning incentives for proactive management.
Because unmanaged accidents (e.g., fires) can escalate into public disorder; reporting enables rapid state response.