Sutra 16

Devanagari script

अश्वमेधावभृथस्नानेन तुल्यो हस्तिना वध इति पादप्रक्षालनम् ॥ कZ_०४.१३.१६ ॥

Transliteration

aśvamedhāvabhṛthasnānena tulyo hastinā vadha iti pādaprakṣālanam

Translation

Killing (a person) by means of an elephant is declared equivalent (in expiatory weight) to the avabhṛtha bath of the Aśvamedha; hence the prescribed rite is foot-washing.

Word by Word

• अश्वमेध: the Aśvamedha (horse-sacrifice)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्वमेध
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद)

• अवभृथ: the avabhṛtha (final bath at the end of a sacrifice)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अवभृथ
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद)

• स्नानेन: by/with a bath
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नान
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया एकवचन

• तुल्यः: equal (to)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुल्य
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन; (अध्याहृत-कर्ता/विषयस्य विशेषणम्)

• हस्तिना: by an elephant
• Type: Noun
• Root: हस्तिन्
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया एकवचन

• वधः: killing, slaughter
• Type: Noun
• Root: वध
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन

• इति: thus; ‘so (it is said)’
• Type: Particle
• Root: इति
• Form: निपात; उद्धरण/वाक्य-समाप्ति-सूचक

• पादप्रक्षालनम्: washing of the feet (foot-washing)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रक्षालन
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; पादस्य प्रक्षालनम्

Entities Mentioned

• Aśvamedha rite (reference)
• elephant

More Details

FAQs

Why does a legal text invoke major ritual analogies?

To anchor legal settlements in widely accepted moral-ritual frameworks, strengthening compliance and social closure after violent incidents.

What is the administrative function of prescribing a simple rite like foot-washing?

It provides a standardized, low-cost expiatory act to conclude disputes and prevent escalation.