Arthashastra 3.11.8: Dharmasthiya, Adhyaya 11, Sutra 8

Devanagari script

तुच्छश्रावणायामभूतचतुर्गुणः ॥

Recitation with translationArthashastra 3.11.8

Transliteration

tucchaśrāvaṇāyām abhūtacaturguṇaḥ

Translation

अगर कोई झूठी कंप्लेंट करता है जिसके पास कोई प्रूफ नहीं है, तो उसको भी चार गुना पैसा देना पड़ेगा। यह उसकी सज़ा है।

Ask anything about this verse...Ask

Word by Word

• तुच्छ: trifling, insignificant, petty
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुच्छ
• Form: विशेषण; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (नपुंसकलिङ्गे सामान्यरूपम्); ‘श्रावणायाम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• श्रावणायाम्: in the hearing/report (i.e., when a matter is brought up/complained of)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रावणā (श्रवण)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; सप्तमी एकवचन; अधिकरणे (locative of occasion/condition): ‘श्रावणायाम्’ = ‘श्रावणे/श्रवणे (hearing, report) के सन्दर्भे’

• अभूत: non-existent, unreal, unfounded
• Type: Adjective (past participle)
• Root: अ-भू (भू)
• Form: कृदन्त (भू धातोः क्त); नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; ‘चतुर्गुणः’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्; अर्थः ‘असत्/असम्भूत’

• चतुर्गुणः: fourfold (four times)
• Type: Noun (used adjectivally)
• Root: चतुर् + गुण
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन; समासः: चतुर्-गुणः = ‘चार गुण वाला’; विधेय (predicate)

Entities Mentioned

• complainant/claimant
• court

More Details

FAQs

What governance problem does penalizing frivolous ‘śrāvaṇa’ address?

It curbs vexatious claims that clog courts, harass opponents, and invite bribery—thereby improving administrative efficiency and legal credibility.