Sutra 20

Devanagari script

धान्यशाकमूलफलावापान्वा सेतुषु कुर्वीत मृगपशुपक्षिव्यालमत्स्यारम्भान्वा ॥ कZ_०४.३.२० ॥

Transliteration

dhānyaśākamūlaphalāvāpānvā setuṣu kurvīta mṛgapaśupakṣivyālamatsyārambhānvā

Translation

He should arrange sowing/planting of grains, vegetables, roots, and fruits on irrigated works; and initiate procurement/harvesting of game, livestock, birds, wild animals, and fish.

Word by Word

• धान्य-शाक-मूल-फल-आवापान्: sow/raise (plantings of) grains, vegetables, roots and fruits
• Type: Noun
• Root: आ√वप् (वप्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया बहुवचन; ‘आवाप’ (sowing/planting) with enumerated objects धान्य/शाक/मूल/फल as a collective compound; object of ‘कुर्वीत’

• वा: or
• Type: Particle
• Root: वा
• Form: विकल्पार्थक अव्यय (alternative ‘or’)

• सेतुषु: in/at irrigation works (dams/embankments/canals)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सेतु
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी बहुवचन; अधिकरण (locative)

• कुर्वीत: should undertake/arrange
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative); परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष एकवचन; ‘he should do/arrange’

• मृग-पशु-पक्षि-व्याल-मत्स्य-आरम्भान्: undertake enterprises concerning deer, animals (cattle), birds, wild beasts, and fish
• Type: Noun
• Root: आ√रभ् (रभ्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया बहुवचन; ‘आरम्भ’ (undertaking/enterprise) with enumerated objects मृग/पशु/पक्षि/व्याल/मत्स्य as a collective compound; object of ‘कुर्वीत’ (alternative to previous object)

• वा: or
• Type: Particle
• Root: वा
• Form: विकल्पार्थक अव्यय (alternative ‘or’)

Entities Mentioned

• irrigation works (setu)
• hunters/fishers (implied state agents)
• wildlife/fish resources

More Details

FAQs

What is the core policy idea in this verse?

Diversify food sources quickly—combine fast-growing crops with controlled extraction of animal and aquatic resources.

Why emphasize ‘setu’ (hydraulic works)?

Because irrigated zones can sustain cultivation even under rainfall failure, making them strategic famine buffers.