Arthashastra — Adhyakshaprachara, Sutra 6

Devanagari script

स्थूलमपि च लाभं प्रजानामौपघातिकं वारयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.१६.०६ ॥

Transliteration

sthūlam api ca lābhaṃ prajānām aupaghātikaṃ vārayet

Translation

ବଡ଼ ଲାଭ ମଧ୍ୟ ଯଦି ପ୍ରଜାଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ କ୍ଷତିକାରକ ହୁଏ, ତେବେ ତାହାକୁ ରୋକିବା ଉଚିତ।

Word by Word

• स्थूलम्: large, substantial
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्थूल
• Form: विशेषण; नपुंसकलिङ्ग; एकवचन; द्वितीया (कर्मपद)

• अपि: even; although; also
• Type: Particle
• Root: अपि
• Form: निपात; समुच्चय/अपेक्षासूचक

• च: and
• Type: Particle
• Root: च
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक निपात

• लाभम्: gain; profit; revenue
• Type: Noun
• Root: लाभ
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; एकवचन; द्वितीया (कर्म)

• प्रजानाम्: of the subjects/people
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रजा
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; बहुवचन; षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध)

• औपघातिकम्: injurious; destructive (to them)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: औपघातिक
• Form: विशेषण; नपुंसकलिङ्ग; एकवचन; द्वितीया; (उपघात-सम्बन्धी, उपघातजनक)

• वारयेत्: should prevent; should restrain
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृ (वारयति)
• Form: लोट्/विधिलिङ् (optative) परस्मैपदम्; प्रथमपुरुष; एकवचन; धातुः: वृ (वारणार्थे)

Entities Mentioned

• subjects (prajā)
• state trading authority

More Details

FAQs

What is the political logic of limiting profitable but harmful policies?

Kauṭilya treats public welfare as a pillar of stability: short-run extraction that damages livelihoods can trigger unrest, reduce productivity, and ultimately weaken the treasury and authority.