Sutra 18

Devanagari script

भिन्नमनुष्या श्रेणीमनुष्या वा भूमिरिति भिन्नमनुष्या श्रेयसी ॥ कZ_०७.११.१८ ॥

Transliteration

bhinna-manuṣyā śreṇī-manuṣyā vā bhūmir iti bhinna-manuṣyā śreyasī

Translation

A territory may have a mixed population or a guild-/corporation-dominated population; the territory with a mixed population is preferable.

Word by Word

• भिन्नमनुष्याः: people who are divided / of differing interests
• Type: Noun (adjectival compound used substantively)
• Root: भिद् (क्त) + मनुष्य
• Form: प्रथमा-बहुवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; ‘भिन्नाः मनुष्याः’ इति विग्रहः

• श्रेणीमनुष्याः: guildsmen / people belonging to a guild
• Type: Noun (compound)
• Root: श्रेणी + मनुष्य
• Form: प्रथमा-बहुवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; ‘श्रेण्याः मनुष्याः’ (श्रेणी-सम्बद्धाः)

• वा: or
• Type: Particle
• Root: वा
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्ययम्

• भूमिः: land/territory (country)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूमि
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, स्त्रीलिङ्गः

• इति: thus / as (so called)
• Type: Quotative particle
• Root: इति
• Form: इत्यर्थे अव्ययम्; पूर्वोक्तस्य परामर्शः

• भिन्नमनुष्याः: the divided people (category)
• Type: Noun (adjectival compound used substantively)
• Root: भिद् (क्त) + मनुष्य
• Form: प्रथमा-बहुवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; पुनरुक्तिः (निगमन/निर्णयार्थम्)

• श्रेयसी: better / preferable
• Type: Adjective (predicative)
• Root: श्रेयस्
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, स्त्रीलिङ्गः; ‘श्रेष्ठा/उत्तमा’

Entities Mentioned

• mixed population
• guilds (śreṇī)

More Details

FAQs

Why is a mixed population considered preferable to a guild-dominated one?

Diversity fragments collective bargaining and rebellion capacity; a guild bloc can coordinate strikes, price manipulation, or political defiance more effectively.

What is the implicit administrative concern about śreṇīs?

Śreṇīs can become parallel power centers controlling labor, supply chains, and urban finance, reducing the king’s leverage.