Arthashastra — Adhyakshaprachara, Sutra 25
Devanagari script
तत्राभिजनशरीरकर्मणां दोषवचनं निन्दा ॥ कZ_०२.१०.२५ ॥
Transliteration
tatrābhijanaśarīrakarmaṇāṃ doṣavacanaṃ nindā
Translation
Ici, la « censure » (nindā) est l’énoncé des दोष (fautes) concernant la lignée, le corps ou la conduite/les actions d’une personne.
Word by Word
तत्रthere; in that context
तत्र:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतत्र
Formअव्यय (देशवाचक)
अभिजनlineage; noble birth
अभिजन:
TypeNoun
Rootअभि√जन् (अभिजन)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद)
शरीरbody; physique
शरीर:
TypeNoun
Rootशरीर
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद)
कर्मणाम्of actions; of deeds
कर्मणाम्:
TypeNoun
Rootकर्मन्
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी बहुवचन
दोषfault; defect
दोष:
TypeNoun
Rootदोष
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; समासः दोष-वचनम् = दोषस्य वचनम्
वचनम्statement; utterance
वचनम्:
TypeNoun
Rootवचन
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; समस्तपदम्: दोषवचनम्
निन्दाcensure; blame; denunciation
निन्दा:
TypeNoun
Rootनिन्दा
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन (परिभाषा/लक्षणवाक्ये विधेय)
FAQs
Kautilya is describing the full rhetorical range used in official rebuke—covering social standing, personal attributes, and conduct—though in practice a prudent state would regulate such speech to avoid backlash.