Arthashastra 11.1.19: Sangha, Adhyaya 1, Sutra 19

Devanagari script

विशिष्टानां चैकपात्रं विवाहं वा हीनेभ्यो वारयेयुः ॥

Transliteration

viśiṣṭānāṃ ca ekapātraṃ vivāhaṃ vā hīnebhyo vārayeyuḥ

Translation

बड़े लोगों को रोको। उन्हें छोटे लोगों के साथ खाना नहीं खिलाना। ना ही उनकी शादी करवानी। बड़े लोग अलग रहेंगे, छोटे लोग अलग।

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Word by Word

• विशिष्टानाम्: of the distinguished/superior (persons)
• Type: Noun/Adjective
• Root: विशिष्ट
• Form: षष्ठी-बहुवचनम् (genitive plural), पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग; विशेषणरूपेण ‘(of) distinguished/superior persons’

• च: and
• Type: Particle
• Root: च
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्ययम्

• एकपात्रम्: (the practice of) using/sharing a single vessel (common dish)
• Type: Noun/Adjective
• Root: एकपात्र
• Form: द्वितीया-एकवचनम् (accusative singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग; ‘one vessel/one dish’ (as object of वारयेयुः)

• विवाहम्: marriage
• Type: Noun
• Root: विवाह
• Form: द्वितीया-एकवचनम् (accusative singular), पुंलिङ्ग; ‘marriage’ (object of वारयेयुः)

• वा: or
• Type: Particle
• Root: वा
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्ययम्

• हीनेभ्यः: from the inferior (persons)
• Type: Noun/Adjective
• Root: हीन
• Form: पञ्चमी-बहुवचनम् (ablative plural), पुंलिङ्ग; ‘from the inferior (persons)’; अपादान-सम्बन्धः (source/starting point)

• वारयेयुः: they should prevent/forbid
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृ (वारयति)
• Form: लिङ् (विधिलिङ्), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, बहुवचनम्; causative/denominative sense ‘to prevent/forbid’ (from √वृ ‘to ward off’ → वारयति)

Entities Mentioned

• elite group (viśiṣṭa)
• lower-status group (hīna)

More Details

FAQs

What is the political intent behind restricting commensality and marriage?

To stop durable cross-status alliances and kinship ties that would increase solidarity and reduce manipulable cleavages.