Sutra 16
Devanagari script
महाभोगमनित्यमुपकारभयादपक्रामति उपकृत्य वा प्रत्यादातुमीहते ॥ कZ_०७.९.१६ ॥
Transliteration
mahābhogam anityam upakārabhayād apakrāmati upakṛtya vā pratyādātum īhate
Translation
A large but irregular benefaction withdraws out of fear of being bound by obligations; or, after helping, it seeks repayment in return.
Word by Word
महाभोगम्great enjoyment/wealth (a great benefit)
महाभोगम्:
TypeNoun
Rootभोग
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, द्वितीया; (महान् + भोग)
अनित्यम्impermanent, not lasting
अनित्यम्:
TypeAdjective
Rootनित्य
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, द्वितीया; न-प्रत्ययेन निषेधः
उपकारभयात्from fear of (having to repay) a favor / from fear of obligation
उपकारभयात्:
TypeNoun
Rootभय
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, पञ्चमी; (उपकारस्य भयम् → उपकारभय)
अपक्रामतिwithdraws, backs away, departs
अपक्रामति:
TypeVerb
Rootअप√क्रम्
Formलट्, परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन
उपकृत्यhaving helped / after doing a favor
उपकृत्य:
TypeGerund
Rootउप√कृ
Formक्त्वा-प्रत्यय (ल्यप्); अव्यय (पूर्वकर्म)
वाor
वा:
TypeParticle
Rootवा
Formविकल्पार्थक-अव्यय
प्रत्यादातुम्to give back, to repay, to return (a favor)
प्रत्यादातुम्:
TypeInfinitive
Rootप्रति-आ-√दा
Formतुमुन्-प्रत्यय; अव्यय (क्रियार्थ)
ईहतेendeavors, tries, seeks
ईहते:
TypeVerb
Root√ईह्
Formलट्, आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन
Entities Mentioned
A
ally (donor of aid)R
recipient state (implied)FAQs
Because it tends to create leverage: the giver may avoid continued commitment or demand compensation, turning ‘help’ into a liability.