Arthashastra — Adhyakshaprachara, Sutra 15

Devanagari script

ततः परं नगरराजदेवतालोहमणिकारवो ब्राह्मणाश्चोत्तरां दिशमधिवसेयुः ॥ कZ_०२.४.१५ ॥

Transliteration

tataḥ paraṃ nagararājadevatālohamaṇikāravo brāhmaṇāś cottarāṃ diśam adhivaseyuḥ

Translation

यानंतर उत्तर दिशेला नगरातील राजदेवतांशी संबंधित लोक, धातू व मणी/रत्नांचे कारागीर, तसेच ब्राह्मण राहावेत.

Word by Word

• ततः: thereafter; then
• Type: Pronoun (Adverbial use)
• Root: तद्
• Form: ablative singular (तस्मात्) used adverbially = 'thereafter/from that point'

• परम्: further; next; beyond
• Type: Adjective (Adverbial use)
• Root: पर
• Form: accusative singular neuter used adverbially = 'further/next'

• नगर-राज-देवता-लोह-मणि-कारवः: the artisans (craftsmen) of the city, the king, the temples, and those working in metal and gems
• Type: Noun
• Root: कारु (कृ)
• Form: nominative plural masculine; head = कारवः 'artisans'; members: नगर, राज, देवता, लोह, मणि qualifying types of artisans

• ब्राह्मणाः: Brahmins
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण
• Form: nominative plural masculine

• च: and
• Type: Particle
• Root: च
• Form: indeclinable conjunction

• उत्तराम्: northern
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तर
• Form: accusative singular feminine; agrees with दिशम्

• दिशम्: direction; quarter
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिश्
• Form: accusative singular feminine

• अधिवसेयुः: should reside; should be settled
• Type: Verb
• Root: अधि-वास्
• Form: optative (vidhi-liṅ), 3rd person plural, parasmaipada; injunction

Entities Mentioned

• Royal/city deity establishments
• Metalworkers
• Gem workers
• Brāhmaṇas

More Details

FAQs

What is the political function of locating royal-deity institutions with elite groups?

It spatially reinforces hierarchy and legitimacy: ritual authority (temples/Brāhmaṇas) and high-value crafts (metals/gems) are placed where surveillance and prestige are highest.