Arthashastra — Adhyakshaprachara, Sutra 10

Devanagari script

द्वादशाङ्गुला वितस्तिः छायापौरुषं च ॥ कZ_०२.२०.१० ॥

Transliteration

dvādaśāṅgulā vitastiḥ chāyāpauruṣaṃ ca

Translation

விதஸ்தி (கையின் விரிப்பு) பன்னிரண்டு அங்குலம்; மேலும் ‘நிழல்-பௌருஷ’ (சாயா-பௌருஷ) அளவும் அதன்படி வரையறுக்கப்படுகிறது.

Word by Word

• द्वादश: twelve
• Type: Numeral
• Root: द्वि/दश (संख्याशब्द)
• Form: संख्यावाचक विशेषण; (अत्र) नपुंसकलिङ्गे/पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन-समर्थम्; ‘अङ्गुला’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• अङ्गुला: (a measure of) a finger-breadth
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्गुलि (नाम)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन (मापन-एककवाचकः)

• वितस्तिः: a span
• Type: Noun
• Root: वितस्ति (नाम)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन; परिभाषा-वाक्ये विषयः

• छाया: shadow
• Type: Noun
• Root: छाया (नाम)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन; समासपूर्वपदम्

• पौरुषम्: and the shadow-measure (in terms of a man’s measure)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पौरुष (नाम)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; ‘छाया-पौरुषम्’ इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पौरुषस्य छाया/पौरुष-सम्बद्धं छायामानम्)

• च: and
• Type: Particle
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्ययम्

Entities Mentioned

• vitasti
• aṅgula
• chāyā-pauruṣa

More Details

FAQs

Why does Kautilya define small units like vitasti in state policy?

Because uniform base units reduce disputes and corruption in surveying, wage-work measurement, procurement, and tax assessment.

What is the administrative point of ‘shadow-man’ measurement?

It provides a practical, reproducible field method for estimating standardized height/length relationships during surveying and construction checks.