Arthashastra — Yogavritta, Sutra 19

Devanagari script

दशपणिको योजने दूतो मध्यमः दशोत्तरे द्विगुणवेतन आयोजनशतादिति ॥ कZ_०५.३.१९ ॥

Transliteration

daśapaṇiko yojane dūto madhyamaḥ daśottare dviguṇavetana āyojanaśatād iti

Translation

A messenger of the middle grade is to be paid ten (paṇas) per yojana; beyond ten (yojanas) the wage is doubled—thus up to one hundred yojanas.

Word by Word

• दशपणिकः: having a wage of ten paṇas (ten-paṇa-rated)
• Type: Noun (adjectival)
• Root: पण
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन; ‘दशपण’ (दश + पण) + -इक (तद्धित, ‘इतने पणों वाला/इतने पणों का’)

• योजने: in/for a yojana (as a distance unit)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योजन
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-एकवचन (अधिकरण); ‘योजन’ = दूरी-मान

• दूतः: the messenger (envoy)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दूत
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन

• मध्यमः: (is) of the middle grade
• Type: Noun (adjectival)
• Root: मध्यम
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन; दूत-श्रेणी का विशेषण

• दशोत्तरे: when (the distance is) beyond ten (yojanas)
• Type: Noun (adjectival)
• Root: दशोत्तर
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-एकवचन (अधिकरण/परिमाण-निर्देश); ‘दशोत्तर’ = दस से अधिक (i.e., 11+)

• द्विगुणवेतनः: with double pay
• Type: Noun (adjectival)
• Root: वेतन
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन; ‘द्विगुण’ (twofold) + ‘वेतन’ (wage)

• आयोजनशतात्: from (i.e., up to/starting at) a hundred yojanas (as the stated limit)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आयोजनशत
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-एकवचन (अपादान); ‘आयोजन’ (योजन-पर्यन्त/योजन-गणना, distance) + ‘शत’ (hundred)

• इति: thus
• Type: Particle
• Root: इति
• Form: अव्यय; उद्धरण/नियम-समाप्ति सूचक

Entities Mentioned

• dūta

More Details

FAQs

What administrative principle is reflected in per-distance messenger pay?

Output-based compensation: pay scales with measurable workload (distance), enabling predictable budgeting and motivating timely delivery.

Why double pay after ten yojanas?

To price in higher marginal costs and risks (time, security, opportunity cost) for longer missions, ensuring willingness and reliability.