Vyasanadhikarana Adhyaya 4 Sutra 16 - Arthashastra | English | Vedapath

Kautilya

Sutra 16

Devanagari script

प्रकृतिराजविवादयोः प्रकृइतिविवादः प्रकृतीनां भेदकः पराभियोगानावहति राजविवादस्तु प्रकृतीनां द्विगुणभक्तवेतनपरिहारकरो भवति इत्याचार्याः ॥ कZ_०८.४.१६ ॥

Transliteration

prakṛtirājavivādayoḥ prakṛitivivādaḥ prakṛtīnāṃ bhedakaḥ parābhiyogān āvahati; rājavivādas tu prakṛtīnāṃ dviguṇabhaktavetanaparihārakaro bhavati iti ācāryāḥ

Translation

Of disputes among constituents and disputes with the king: a dispute among constituents splits the constituent elements and invites intervention/claims by others; but a dispute with the king results in double expenditure for the constituents—extra rations, wages, and compensations—so say the teachers.

Word by Word

प्रकृति-राज-विवादयोःof (the two kinds of disputes) the dispute involving the state elements and the dispute involving the king

प्रकृति-विवादःa dispute among/relating to the state elements (officials, constituents)

प्रकृतीनाम्of the state elements/constituents

भेदकःa splitter; causing division

पर-अभियोगान्counter-accusations / accusations by others

आनावहतिbrings about; entails

राज-विवादःa dispute involving the king (royal dispute)

तुbut; however

प्रकृतीनाम्of the state elements/constituents

द्वि-गुण-भक्त-वेतन-परिहार-करःone that causes a double forfeiture/penalty regarding rations and wages

भवतिis; becomes

इतिthus

आचार्याःthe teachers (authorities)

Entities Mentioned

prakṛti (constituents)

rāja (king)

ācārya (teachers/authorities)

FAQs

What is the strategic danger of disputes among constituents?

They fracture the state’s internal cohesion and create openings for outsiders to press claims or intervene.

Why does a dispute with the king raise costs?

Because the state must pay more to secure compliance—through increased maintenance, wages, and compensatory settlements.