Arthashastra 3.2.24: Dharmasthiya, Adhyaya 2, Sutra 24
Devanagari script
ज्ञातिहस्तादभिमृष्टाया ज्ञातयो यथागृहीतं दद्युः ॥
Transliteration
jñātihastād abhimṛṣṭāyā jñātayo yathāgṛhītaṃ dadyuḥ
Translation
അവളുടെ സ്വത്ത് അവളുടെ ബന്ധുക്കളുടെ കൈകളിലായാൽ, ബന്ധുക്കൾ സ്വീകരിച്ചതുപോലെ തന്നെയായി അത് തിരികെ നൽകണം.
Word by Word
ज्ञाति-हस्तात्from the hand/custody of a kinsman
ज्ञाति-हस्तात्:
TypeNoun
Rootहस्त
Formपुंलिङ्ग; एकवचन; पञ्चमी (अपादान); समासः—ज्ञाति(षष्ठी) + हस्त
अभिमृष्टायाःof a woman who has been seized/handled (taken into another’s custody)
अभिमृष्टायाः:
TypeParticiple (Verbal adjective)
Rootमृश्
Formकृदन्त (क्त); स्त्रीलिङ्ग; एकवचन; षष्ठी/पञ्चमी/सप्तमी-एकवचन रूपसाम्य (प्रसङ्गतः षष्ठी—‘of one who has been touched/handled’) ; उपसर्गः अभि-
ज्ञातयःthe kinsmen/relatives
ज्ञातयः:
TypeNoun
Rootज्ञाति
Formपुंलिङ्ग; बहुवचन; प्रथमा
यथाas; according to
यथा:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootयथा
Formअव्यय; उपमान/प्रकारार्थे (‘as, according to’)
गृहीतम्what was taken/received
गृहीतम्:
TypePast passive participle
Rootग्रह्
Formकृदन्त (क्त); नपुंसकलिङ्ग; एकवचन; द्वितीया (कर्म) — ‘that which was taken/received’
दद्युःshould give/should return
दद्युः:
TypeVerb
Rootदा
Formलिङ् (विधिलिङ्); परस्मैपदम्; प्रथमपुरुष; बहुवचन
Entities Mentioned
W
woman/ownerK
kinsmen (jñāti)C
custodied propertyFAQs
A strict ‘as received’ standard, limiting discretion and preventing dilution or substitution of the woman’s property.
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