Arthashastra 3.13.22 - Dharmasthiya, Adhyaya 13, Sutra 22

Arthashastra 3.13.22: Dharmasthiya, Adhyaya 13, Sutra 22

Devanagari script

दासद्रव्यस्य ज्ञातयो दायादाः तेषामभावे स्वामी ॥ कZ_०३.१३.२२ ॥

Recitation with translationArthashastra 3.13.22

Transliteration

dāsadravyasya jñātayo dāyādāḥ teṣām abhāve svāmī

Translation

ദാസന്റെ സ്വത്തിന്റേ അവകാശികൾ അവന്റെ ബന്ധുക്കൾ; അവർ ഇല്ലെങ്കിൽ ഉടമ (സ്വാമി) അവകാശിയാകും.

Word by Word

दास-द्रव्यस्यof the slave’s property

ज्ञातयःthe kinsmen

दायादाःare the heirs

तेषाम्of them (of those kinsmen)

अभावेin (their) absence

स्वामीthe master/owner (becomes heir)

Entities Mentioned

dāsa

kinsmen (jñātayaḥ)

svāmin

What does this sutra indicate about a dāsa’s legal capacity?

A dāsa can hold ‘property’ recognized by law, but succession is structured to prioritize kin and otherwise revert to the owner.

Why would the state specify this order?

To reduce disputes and clarify incentives around accumulation, custody, and claims after death.

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FAQs

What does this sutra indicate about a dāsa’s legal capacity?

A dāsa can hold ‘property’ recognized by law, but succession is structured to prioritize kin and otherwise revert to the owner.

Why would the state specify this order?

To reduce disputes and clarify incentives around accumulation, custody, and claims after death.