Arthashastra 3.7.17: Dharmasthiya, Adhyaya 7, Sutra 17
Devanagari script
पुत्रत्वेऽधिकृतः कृतकः ॥ कZ_०३.७.१७ ॥
Transliteration
putratve 'dhikr̥taḥ kr̥takaḥ
Translation
जब किसी को बेटे की जगह पर बैठा दिया जाता है, उसे कृतक बेटा कहते हैं। यह वो है जिसे घर वाले ने बेटे की तरह करने का फैसला किया।
Word by Word
पुत्रत्वेin/with regard to the status of sonship
पुत्रत्वे:
TypeNoun
Rootपुत्रत्व (पुत्र + त्व)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग; एकवचन; सप्तमी (अधिकरण)
अधिकृतःauthorized/appointed (as such)
अधिकृतः:
TypeParticiple
Rootअधि√कृ (कृ)
Formभूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त); पुंलिङ्ग; एकवचन; प्रथमा; ‘appointed/authorized’
कृतकःthe ‘kṛtaka’ (constituted/adopted son)
कृतकः:
TypeNoun
Rootकृतक
Formपुंलिङ्ग; एकवचन; प्रथमा; संज्ञा (व्यवहारपद)
Entities Mentioned
A
appointed son (kṛtaka)A
authorizing authority (implied: father/householder/court)FAQs
It enables a legally recognized successor when biological/standard heirs are absent or unsuitable, reducing succession conflict and ensuring orderly property transfer.
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