Sutra 40
अभिजातोपरुद्धा भूमिरत्यन्तमहोपकारापि क्षमा मोक्षयितुं व्यसनाबाधभयात्पशुव्रजोपरुद्धा तु कोशवाहनोपकारिणी न क्षमा मोक्षयितुमन्यत्र सस्यवापोपरोधादिति ॥ कZ_०८.४.४० ॥
abhijātoparuddhā bhūmir atyantamahopakārāpi kṣamā mokṣayituṃ vyasanābādhabhayāt paśuvrajoparuddhā tu kośavāhanopakāriṇī na kṣamā mokṣayitum anyatra sasyavāpoparodhād iti.
Land blocked by high-born (powerful) persons—though it yields very great benefit—may be released, for fear of calamity and harassment. But land blocked by herds of livestock, which benefits the treasury and transport (through produce and draught service), should not be released—except when it obstructs sowing and cultivation.
FAQs
Release land occupied by powerful elites if keeping it risks broader calamity/harassment; do not release land used by herds if it supports revenue and transport, unless it blocks sowing.
Because cattle occupation can be fiscally and logistically productive (kośa and vāhana), whereas elite occupation can trigger political/security risks if contested.