Arthashastra — Adhyakshaprachara, Sutra 3

Devanagari script

चतुर्दण्डान्तरा रथ्याः ॥ कZ_०२.४.०३ ॥

Transliteration

caturdaṇḍāntarā rathyāḥ

Translation

गलियों/सड़कों (रथ्याओं) की चौड़ाई चार दण्ड हो।

Word by Word

• चतुर्-दण्ड-अन्तरा: having an interval/width of four daṇḍas (i.e., four-daṇḍa-wide)
• Type: Noun (used adjectivally as a measure)
• Root: अन्तर (प्रा. ‘अन्तर’/‘अन्तरा’ as adjectival/noun base)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्; ‘अन्तरा’ = ‘अन्तराल/विस्तार’ अर्थे, पूर्वपदेन परिमाणनिर्देशः (चतुर्-दण्ड-परिमाणम्)

• रथ्याः: streets / carriage-roads
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ्या
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम् (रथ्या + स् → रथ्याः)

Entities Mentioned

• rathyā (street)
• daṇḍa (measure)

More Details

FAQs

Why legislate street width in fixed measures?

To prevent encroachment, ensure cart/military movement, reduce fire risk, and make enforcement objective through measurable standards.