Sutra 23

Devanagari script

कुशीलवा रूपाजीवाश्च वेतनार्धं दद्युः ॥ कZ_०५.२.२३ ॥

Transliteration

kuśīlavā rūpājīvāś ca vetanārdhaṃ dadyuḥ

Translation

Actors/performers and those who earn a living by “rūpa” (display/appearance—performative or show-based work) shall remit half of their earnings (as due).

Word by Word

• कुशीलवाः: minstrels/performers (itinerant entertainers)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुशीलव
• Form: प्रथमा-बहुवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः (समूहवाचकः)

• रूपाजीवाः: those who earn a living by (display of) beauty/appearance
• Type: Noun
• Root: रूपाजीव
• Form: प्रथमा-बहुवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; रूपेण जीवति इति (उपपद-तत्पुरुषः)

• च: and
• Type: Particle
• Root: च
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्ययम्

• वेतनार्धम्: half of the wage/remuneration
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेतन + अर्ध
• Form: द्वितीया-एकवचनम्, नपुंसकलिङ्गः; वेतनस्य अर्धम्

• दद्युः: should give / should pay
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (दाने)
• Form: लिङ् (विधिलिङ्), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, बहुवचनम्; ‘they should give’

Entities Mentioned

• performers
• show-based earners

More Details

FAQs

Why impose a share-of-earnings levy instead of a fixed amount here?

Entertainment income is variable and event-based; a proportional rule is easier to apply across fluctuating receipts.