Arthashastra 3.16.8: Dharmasthiya, Adhyaya 16, Sutra 8

Devanagari script

तत्रोत्तमो दण्डः ॥

Recitation with translationArthashastra 3.16.8

Transliteration

tatrottamo daṇḍaḥ

Translation

इस केस में सबसे बड़ा दंड लगेगा। जो सबसे ज़्यादा सज़ा है, वो देगा। कोई छोटा नहीं, पूरा वही जो मैक्सिमम है।

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Word by Word

• तत्र: there; in that context/with regard to that
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र
• Form: अव्यय (देशवाचक)

• उत्तमः: the highest; the best; the most severe
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम
• Form: विशेषण; पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचन; (दण्डः इति विशेष्यस्य)

• दण्डः: punishment; the king’s coercive power; penalty
• Type: Noun
• Root: दण्ड
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचन

Entities Mentioned

• dharmastha (judge/magistrate)

More Details

FAQs

What is the administrative purpose of prescribing the 'highest penalty' here?

To deter trafficking in disputed or stolen goods and to signal strict liability around property-transfer integrity in markets.

How would a dharmastha use this rule in practice?

As a sentencing ceiling: where the fact pattern fits the specified offence-class, the magistrate selects the top-tier fine/punishment to maximize deterrence.