Arthashastra — Adhyakshaprachara, Sutra 14

Devanagari script

बाधतीर्थाश्चैताः कार्या राजद्विष्टकारिणां तरणभयात् ॥ कZ_०२.२८.१४ ॥

Transliteration

bādhatīrthāścaitāḥ kāryā rājadviṣṭakāriṇāṃ taraṇabhayāt

Translation

Il faut établir des gués entravés/contrôlés afin de dissuader ceux qui agissent contre le roi, en rendant la traversée illicite redoutable/difficile.

Word by Word

• बाधतीर्थाः: controlled/obstructing fords (regulated crossing-points)
• Type: Noun (Adjective used substantively)
• Root: बाधतीर्थ (बाध + तीर्थ)
• Form: प्रथमा-बहुवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; ‘तीर्थ’ (m.) with qualifier ‘बाध’

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

• एताः: these
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: एतद्
• Form: प्रथमा-बहुवचनम्, स्त्रीलिङ्गः

• कार्याः: should be made/are to be established
• Type: Verbal adjective (Gerundive)
• Root: कृ
• Form: विधिलिङ्गार्थक-कर्तव्यता; ‘कार्य’ (gerundive) प्रथमा-बहुवचनम्, स्त्रीलिङ्गः; एताः (स्त्री) इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• राजद्विष्टकारिणाम्: of those who act as enemies of the king
• Type: Noun (Agent noun)
• Root: राजद्विष्टकारिन् (राज + द्विष्ट + कारिन्)
• Form: षष्ठी-बहुवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; ‘कारिन्’ = कर्तृवाचक-प्रातिपदिकम्

• तरणभयात्: from fear of crossing (i.e., to prevent escape by making crossing fearful)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तरणभय (तरण + भय)
• Form: पञ्चमी-एकवचनम्, नपुंसकलिङ्गः; हेतौ/कारणे पञ्चमी

Entities Mentioned

• state/king
• hostile actors
• controlled fords (tīrtha)

More Details

FAQs

What is a ‘bādhatīrtha’ in governance terms?

A deliberately controlled chokepoint—through physical obstruction and supervision—to regulate who can cross and to raise the cost of hostile movement.

How does this complement ferry operations?

Ferries facilitate lawful movement; controlled fords restrict unlawful movement—together forming a dual system of enablement and denial.