Kantakashodhana Adhyaya 3 Sutra 17 - Arthashastra | French | Vedapath

Kautilya

Sutra 17

Devanagari script

दुर्भिक्षे राजा बीजभक्तोपग्रहं कृत्वानुग्रहं कुर्यात्दुर्गसेतुकर्म वा भक्तानुग्रहेण भक्तसंविभागं वा देशनिक्षेपं वा ॥ कZ_०४.३.१७ ॥

Transliteration

durbhikṣe rājā bījabhaktopagrahaṃ kṛtvānugrahaṃ kuryātdurgasetukarma vā bhaktānugraheṇa bhaktasaṃvibhāgaṃ vā deśanikṣepaṃ vā

Translation

En cas de famine, le roi doit porter secours en avançant des semences et des rations; ou entreprendre des travaux de fortification et d’irrigation/travaux publics; ou distribuer des rations à titre d’assistance; ou réinstaller/déplacer la population vers des lieux appropriés.

Word by Word

दुर्भिक्षेin a famine

राजाthe king

बीजभक्तोपग्रहम्an advance/relief of seed and rations

कृत्वाhaving done / after making

अनुग्रहम्favor/relief

कुर्यात्should do / should provide

दुर्गसेतुकर्मwork on forts and bridges (public works)

वाor

भक्तानुग्रहेणby means of ration-relief

भक्तसंविभागम्distribution of rations

वाor

देशनिक्षेपम्relocation/settlement in a place

वाor

Entities Mentioned

king (rājā)

population (janapada implied)

fort (durga)

irrigation works (setu)

FAQs

What is the policy logic of giving seed advances during famine?

It preserves future production capacity while preventing immediate starvation—stabilizing both revenue base and social order.

Why pair famine relief with durga/setu works?

To provide employment/food-for-work and simultaneously strengthen security and water infrastructure for recovery.