Arthashastra 3.13.22: Dharmasthiya, Adhyaya 13, Sutra 22
Devanagari script
दासद्रव्यस्य ज्ञातयो दायादाः तेषामभावे स्वामी ॥ कZ_०३.१३.२२ ॥
Transliteration
dāsadravyasya jñātayo dāyādāḥ teṣām abhāve svāmī
Translation
ダ―サの財産の相続人はその親族であり、親族がいない場合は主人（所有者）が相続する。
Word by Word
दास-द्रव्यस्यof the slave’s property
दास-द्रव्यस्य:
TypeNoun
Rootदास; द्रव्य
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग; षष्ठी एकवचन (द्रव्य-शब्द); समासः—दासस्य द्रव्यम् (दासद्रव्यम्) तस्य
ज्ञातयःthe kinsmen
ज्ञातयः:
TypeNoun
Rootज्ञाति
Formपुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा बहुवचन
दायादाःare the heirs
दायादाः:
TypeNoun
Rootदायाद
Formपुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा बहुवचन; विधेय (predicate nominative)
तेषाम्of them (of those kinsmen)
तेषाम्:
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
Formषष्ठी बहुवचन
अभावेin (their) absence
अभावे:
TypeNoun
Rootअभाव
Formपुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी एकवचन; सति-सप्तमी (in the absence of)
स्वामीthe master/owner (becomes heir)
स्वामी:
TypeNoun
Rootस्वामिन्
Formपुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन; कर्तृ/विधेय
Entities Mentioned
D
dāsaK
kinsmen (jñātayaḥ)S
svāminFAQs
A dāsa can hold ‘property’ recognized by law, but succession is structured to prioritize kin and otherwise revert to the owner.
To reduce disputes and clarify incentives around accumulation, custody, and claims after death.
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