Arthashastra — Adhyakshaprachara, Sutra 40

Devanagari script

ज्येष्ठामूलीय आषाढश्च ग्रीष्मः ॥ कZ_०२.२०.६० ॥

Transliteration

jyeṣṭhāmūlīya āṣāḍhaś ca grīṣmaḥ

Translation

‘ଗ୍ରୀଷ୍ମ’ (ଗ୍ରୀଷ୍ମକାଳ) ଋତୁ ଜ୍ୟେଷ୍ଠାମୂଲୀୟ ଓ ଆଷାଢ଼—ଏହି ମାସଦ୍ୱୟରୁ ଗଠିତ।

Word by Word

• ज्येष्ठामूलीयः: the (period/month) called Jyeṣṭhāmūlīya; pertaining to Jyeṣṭha (as a calendrical designation)
• Type: Noun (adjectival)
• Root: ज्येष्ठामूलीय
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; विशेषणम् (मास-नाम)

• आषाढः: Āṣāḍha (the month Āṣāḍha)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आषाढ
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; मास-नाम

• च: and
• Type: Particle
• Root: च
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्ययम्

• ग्रीष्मः: summer (the season Grīṣma)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्रीष्म
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; ऋतु-नाम

Entities Mentioned

• Grīṣma
• Jyeṣṭha (Jyeṣṭhāmūlīya)
• Āṣāḍha

More Details

FAQs

Why does Kautilya define seasons by specific months?

To standardize state timing for taxation cycles, labor scheduling, military campaigning windows, and accounting periods.

What practical administrative use does ‘Grīṣma’ serve?

It anchors predictable seasonal operations (e.g., procurement, travel, construction) to a fixed calendar definition.