Sutra 21

Devanagari script

स्वयं वादिदण्डो दशबन्धः ॥ कZ_०३.१.२१ ॥

Transliteration

svayaṃ vādidaṇḍo daśabandhaḥ ||

Translation

ਜੇ ਵਾਦੀ ਆਪ ਜ਼ਿੰਮੇਵਾਰ ਹੋਵੇ ਤਾਂ ਦੰਡ—ਦਸ ਬੰਧ।

Word by Word

• स्वयम्: personally; by oneself
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वयम्
• Form: अव्ययम् (निपात/क्रियाविशेषण)

• वादी: the plaintiff / complainant (litigant who speaks first)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वद्
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन (कर्ता/विषयः); वादिन्-शब्दः (वादी = litigant/speaker)

• दण्डः: fine; penalty
• Type: Noun
• Root: दण्ड
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन

• दशबन्धः: tenfold bond/forfeit; ten-times liability
• Type: Noun
• Root: बन्ध
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन; समासः: दश + बन्ध (दशबन्धः = ‘tenfold bond/forfeit’)

Entities Mentioned

• fine unit: bandha

More Details

FAQs

Why is the ‘svayaṃ’ penalty higher than the ‘parokta’ penalty?

If the party’s own statements/actions reveal the defect, the bad-faith or negligence is clearer; a higher fine strengthens deterrence and procedural seriousness.