Arthashastra 3.4.20: Dharmasthiya, Adhyaya 4, Sutra 20

Devanagari script

प्रतिषेधेऽर्धदण्डाः ॥

Recitation with translationArthashastra 3.4.20

Transliteration

pratiṣedhe 'rdhadaṇḍāḥ

Translation

जब कोई मना करने के बाद भी काम करता है, तो उसकी सज़ा आधी रखी जाए। मना करने के बाद भी किया, तो जुर्माना भी आधा।

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Word by Word

• प्रतिषेधे: in the case of a prohibition; when something is prohibited
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रतिषेध
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी-एकवचन (अधिकरण)

• अर्धदण्डाः: half-penalties; fines/punishments amounting to half (of the standard)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्धदण्ड
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-बहुवचन (विधेय/उद्देश्य)

Entities Mentioned

• prohibited party
• state authority

More Details

FAQs

What does 'half-penalty' indicate in governance terms?

A calibrated enforcement tool: the state uses reduced fines for certain prohibition-breaches, differentiating them from more aggravated coercive offenses.