Sutra 12

Devanagari script

आश्रयः सर्वधर्माणां शश्वदान्वीक्षिकी मता ॥ कZ_०१.२.१२च्द् ॥

Transliteration

āśrayaḥ sarvadharmāṇāṃ śaśvad ānvīkṣikī matā

Translation

ആൻവീക്ഷികീ (തർക്കാധിഷ്ഠിത അന്വേഷണം)യെ എല്ലാ ധർമ്മങ്ങളുടെയും (നിയമ-ന്യായ-കർതവ്യങ്ങളുടെയും) ശാശ്വത ആധാരമായി കരുതുന്നു.

Word by Word

• आश्रयः: support; foundation; refuge
• Type: Noun
• Root: आ-श्रि
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-एकवचनम्

• सर्वधर्माणाम्: of all dharmas / of all duties and norms
• Type: Noun (Genitive phrase)
• Root: सर्व + धर्म
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, षष्ठी-बहुवचनम् (समासपदस्य ‘धर्म’), ‘सर्व’ विशेषणम्

• शश्वत्: always; perpetually
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शश्वत् (अव्यय/निपात)
• Form: अव्ययम्; कालवाचकम्

• आन्वीक्षिकी: ānvikṣikī (the science of inquiry/logic/philosophy)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनु-ईक्ष्
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-एकवचनम्

• मता: is considered; is held to be
• Type: Participle used as adjective
• Root: मन् (मत)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; भूतकृदन्तः (क्त) ‘मत’ = ‘considered/held to be’

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FAQs

What is the strategic objective (Artha) of this verse?

To establish analytical reasoning as the state’s permanent intellectual infrastructure for judging duties, laws, and policy choices, reducing error and arbitrariness in governance.

How does this apply to modern governance?

It supports evidence-based policymaking: using rigorous analysis (logic, verification, cost–benefit thinking, and institutional review) to ground law, regulation, and administration rather than relying on ideology or personal preference.

What is the specific duty of the ruler/official mentioned?

No specific office is named; the implied duty of the ruler and senior officials is to cultivate and apply disciplined inquiry when interpreting norms and crafting decisions, ensuring consistent justice and sustainable public welfare.