Arthashastra — Adhyakshaprachara, Sutra 10

Devanagari script

वत्सो वृषो धेनुश्चैषामवध्याः ॥ कZ_०२.२६.१० ॥

Transliteration

vatso vṛṣo dhenuś ca eṣām avadhyāḥ

Translation

Parmi ceux-ci, le veau, le taureau et la vache laitière ne doivent pas être tués.

Word by Word

• वत्सः: calf
• Type: Noun
• Root: वत्स
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-एकवचनम्

• वृषः: bull
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृष
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-एकवचनम्

• धेनुः: cow
• Type: Noun
• Root: धेनु
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-एकवचनम्

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

• एषाम्: of these / among these
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: इदम्
• Form: षष्ठी-बहुवचनम् (सर्वनाम)

• अवध्याः: not to be slain / inviolable
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अवध्य
• Form: प्रथमा-बहुवचनम्, पुं/स्त्रीलिङ्गे (विशेषणम्); ‘वध’ धातोः कर्मणि-योग्यतावाचक ‘वध्य’ + नञ्

Entities Mentioned

• calf
• bull
• milch-cow

More Details

FAQs

What is the state rationale for protecting calf, bull, and milch-cow?

They are productive capital (breeding, traction, milk). Protecting them safeguards agrarian output, revenue stability, and food security.