Sutra 5

Devanagari script

स्वधर्मो ब्राह्मणस्य अध्ययनमध्यापनं यजनं याजनं दानं प्रतिग्रहश्च ॥ कZ_०१.३.०५ ॥

Transliteration

svadharmo brāhmaṇasya adhyayanam adhyāpanaṃ yajanaṃ yājanaṃ dānaṃ pratigrahaś ca

Translation

ब्राह्मणाचा स्वधर्म—अध्ययन, अध्यापन, यजन (यज्ञ करणे), याजन (इतरांसाठी यज्ञ करविणे), दान आणि प्रतिग्रह (दान स्वीकारणे).

Word by Word

स्वधर्मःone’s own prescribed duty

ब्राह्मणस्यof a Brahmin

अध्ययनम्studying (the Veda)

अध्यापनम्teaching (the Veda)

यजनम्sacrificing/performing a sacrifice (for oneself)

याजनम्officiating at a sacrifice (causing another to sacrifice)

दानम्giving/charity

प्रतिग्रहःacceptance (of gifts)

चand

Entities Mentioned

Brāhmaṇa

Svadharma

FAQs

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

To define role-based duties that create predictable social functions—education, counsel, ritual legitimacy, and regulated patronage—thereby supporting stability and the state’s capacity to govern effectively.

How does this apply to modern governance?

It parallels the idea of clear professional mandates and institutional roles (education, public ethics, advisory bodies). When roles, funding, and conflicts of interest are regulated, they strengthen legitimacy and social trust; when unregulated, they can enable undue influence.

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

No ruler is directly addressed here; the verse specifies the Brahmin’s duties. Indirectly, it implies that governance should recognize, regulate, and appropriately utilize such social functions (education, advisory authority, and patronage) to maintain order and public welfare.