Adhyakshaprachara Adhyaya 2 Sutra 3 - Arthashastra | Japanese | Vedapath

Kautilya

Sutra 3

Devanagari script

तावन्मात्रमेकद्वारं खातगुप्तं स्वादुफलगुल्मगुच्छमकण्टकिद्रुममुत्तानतोयाशयं दान्तमृगचतुष्पदं भग्ननखदंष्ट्रव्यालं मार्गयुकहस्तिहस्तिनीकलभं मृगवनं विहारार्थं राज्ञः कारयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.२.०३ ॥

Transliteration

tāvanmātram ekadvāraṃ khāta-guptaṃ svādu-phala-gulma-guccham akaṇṭaki-drumam uttāna-toyāśayaṃ dānta-mṛga-catuṣpadaṃ bhagna-nakha-daṃṣṭra-vyālaṃ mārga-yukta-hasti-hastinī-kalabhaṃ mṛga-vanaṃ vihārārthaṃ rājñaḥ kārayet

Translation

王の遊興のために、王立の狩猟園（mṛgavana）を造らせるべきである。規模は適切で、門は一つだけとし、堀／溝で守る。甘い果実のなる茂みや群生、棘のない樹木、浅い貯水池を備え、馴れた鹿や四足獣を入れる。猛獣は爪と牙を折って無害化し、園内に道を設け、さらに象—雄・雌・子象—を備える。

Word by Word

तावन्मात्रम्only so much; of that extent

एकद्वारम्having one gate; single-entranced

खातगुप्तम्protected by a ditch; secured by excavation

स्वादुफलगुल्मगुच्छम्with sweet fruits, shrubs, and clumps of vegetation

अकण्टकिद्रुमम्with thornless trees

उत्तानतोयाशयम्having shallow water-bodies/ponds

दान्तमृगचतुष्पदम्with tame deer and other quadrupeds

भग्ननखदंष्ट्रव्यालम्with wild beasts whose claws and fangs are broken (made harmless)

मार्गयुकहस्तिहस्तिनीकलभम्with elephants—males, females, and calves—trained/fit for the paths

मृगवनम्a deer-forest; game preserve

विहारार्थम्for recreation; for sport

राज्ञःof the king

कारयेत्should have (it) made; should cause (it) to be constructed

Entities Mentioned

rājā (king)

mṛga-vana (hunting park)

hasti/hastinī/kalabha (elephants)

mṛga/catuṣpada (game animals)

vyāla (predators)

FAQs

Why specify a single gate and moat for a hunting park?

It is a security and control design: regulating access, preventing escapes, and reducing assassination or disorder risks in a leisure setting.

What does 'predators with broken claws and fangs' indicate administratively?

A controlled environment—risk is engineered out to protect the ruler while preserving the appearance/utility of a game reserve.