Arthashastra — Adhyakshaprachara, Sutra 6

Devanagari script

पूर्वाह्ने व्यायामकालः पश्चाह्नः प्रतिपानकालः ॥ कZ_०२.३१.०६ ॥

Transliteration

pūrvāhne vyāyāma-kālaḥ paścāhnaḥ pratipāna-kālaḥ

Translation

ପୂର୍ବାହ୍ନେ ବ୍ୟାୟାମକାଳ; ଅପରାହ୍ନେ ପାନୀୟ/ଜଳପାନ (ପୁନରୁଦ୍ଧାରକ) କାଳ।

Word by Word

• पूर्वाह्ने: in the forenoon / in the morning (lit. ‘in the earlier part of the day’)
• Type: Noun (time-expression)
• Root: पूर्व + अहन्
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; एकवचन; सप्तमी (अधिकरण)

• व्यायामकालः: (it is) the time for exercise
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यायाम + काल
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; एकवचन; प्रथमा (सम्बोधन/विधेय)

• पश्चाह्नः: the afternoon (lit. ‘the later part of the day’)
• Type: Noun (time-expression)
• Root: पश्च + अहन्
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; एकवचन; प्रथमा (सम्बोधन/विधेय)

• प्रतिपानकालः: (it is) the time for drinking/refreshment
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रतिपान + काल
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; एकवचन; प्रथमा (सम्बोधन/विधेय)

Entities Mentioned

• elephants
• trainers/mahouts (implied)

More Details

FAQs

How does this verse reflect administrative thinking rather than mere animal care?

It converts care into enforceable time blocks—making supervision, labor allocation, and supply planning measurable and auditable.