Arthashastra — Adhyakshaprachara, Sutra 119

Devanagari script

देशकालपरीभोगं हिंस्राणां च प्रतिक्रियाम् ॥ कZ_०२.११.११९ ॥

Transliteration

deśakālaparībhogaṃ hiṃsrāṇāṃ ca pratikriyām

Translation

ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਦੇਸ਼-ਕਾਲ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਉਚਿਤਤਾ (ਸਥਾਨਕ/ਮੌਸਮੀ ਹਾਲਾਤ ਅਤੇ ਵਰਤੋਂ) ਅਤੇ ਖ਼ਤਰਨਾਕ/ਨੁਕਸਾਨਦਾਇਕ ਖ਼ਤਰਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਕਾਰ ਵੀ ਪਰਖਣੇ ਚਾਹੀਦੇ ਹਨ।

Word by Word

• देशकालपरीभोगम्: use/consumption appropriate to place and time
• Type: Noun
• Root: भुज् (भोग/उपभोग)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, एकवचन, द्वितीया; समासः—देश + काल + परीभोग (देशस्य कालस्य च परीभोगः/उपभोगः)

• हिंस्राणाम्: of violent/cruel persons (or creatures)
• Type: Noun (adjectival substantive)
• Root: हिंस्र (हिंसा-शील)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (प्रायः), बहुवचन, षष्ठी; ‘हिंस्र’ = हिंसक/क्रूर (जनाः/प्राणी)

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

• प्रतिक्रियाम्: countermeasure; remedial action (response)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृ (प्रति + कृ)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, एकवचन, द्वितीया; ‘प्रतिक्रिया’ = प्रतिकार/उपाय/दण्ड-व्यवस्था

Entities Mentioned

• state stores/treasury (implied)
• inspectors
• harmful agents (e.g., decay, contamination) (implied)

More Details

FAQs

How does 'deśa-kāla' function as an administrative principle?

It makes valuation and storage rules conditional on region and season, preventing loss and ensuring the state pays/charges appropriately under varying conditions.