Sutra 17

Devanagari script

उदासीनवधे यातुरुत्तमो दण्डः ॥ कZ_०४.१३.१७ ॥

Transliteration

udāsīnavadhe yātur uttamo daṇḍaḥ

Translation

For killing a neutral (udāsīna), the yātu (sorcerer/black-magician; covert killer) shall receive the highest punishment.

Word by Word

• उदासीन-वधे: in the matter of killing a neutral (third-party) king
• Type: Noun
• Root: उदासीन; वध
• Form: समासः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष) ‘उदासीनस्य वधः’ । समस्तपदम् नपुंसकलिङ्गे एकवचनम्, सप्तमी विभक्तिः (वधे) — ‘उदासीन-वधे’ = ‘उदासीनस्य वधे/वधविषये’

• यातुः: of the attacker / invader
• Type: Noun
• Root: या (गत्यर्थक धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे एकवचनम्, षष्ठी विभक्तिः — ‘यातुः’ (गन्तुः/यातृ-शब्दः) = ‘of the goer/assailant (invader)’

• उत्तमः: the highest / most severe
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे एकवचनम्, प्रथमा विभक्तिः; ‘दण्डः’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• दण्डः: punishment / penalty
• Type: Noun
• Root: दण्ड
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे एकवचनम्, प्रथमा विभक्तिः; वाक्यस्य कर्तृ/विधेय-शब्दः

Entities Mentioned

• udāsīna (neutral person)
• yātu (sorcerer/covert killer)

More Details

FAQs

What is the political logic of harsh punishment for killing an udāsīna?

Neutral persons are outside factional conflict; protecting them preserves general security and trust in the king’s peace.

Why single out the yātu?

Covert methods undermine detectability and public confidence; severe punishment raises deterrence against hidden violence.