Sutra 33

Devanagari script

तस्माद्धर्म्यमर्थ्यं चास्योपदिशेन्नाधर्म्यमनर्थ्यं च ॥ कZ_०१.१७.३३ ॥

Transliteration

tasmād dharmyam arthyaṃ cāsyopadiśen nādharmyam anarthyaṃ ca

Translation

ஆகையால் அவனுக்கு நீதியானதும் பொருளாதார நன்மை தருவதுமானவற்றையே போதிக்க வேண்டும்; அநீதியானதும் நாசம் தருவதுமானவற்றை அல்ல।

Word by Word

• तस्मात्: therefore; from that (reason)
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: ablative singular (पञ्चमी एकवचन), masculine/neuter; pronominal stem

• धर्म्यम्: what is righteous; in accordance with dharma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म्य
• Form: accusative singular neuter; agrees with (implicit) उपदेश्यम्/वचनम्

• अर्थ्यम्: what is beneficial/expedient (for artha)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अर्थ्य
• Form: accusative singular neuter; coordinate with धर्म्यम्

• च: and
• Type: Particle
• Root: च
• Form: indeclinable conjunction

• अस्य: of him; to him (contextually)
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: इदम्
• Form: genitive singular; masculine/neuter; refers to the person being instructed (e.g., prince/student)

• उपदिशेत्: should instruct; should teach
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-√दिश्
• Form: 3rd person singular, optative (विधिलिङ्), parasmaipada, present-system; injunctive sense: 'should instruct/teach'

• न: not
• Type: Particle
• Root: न
• Form: indeclinable negation

• अधर्म्यम्: unrighteous; contrary to dharma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधर्म्य
• Form: accusative singular neuter; negated counterpart of धर्म्यम्

• अनर्थ्यम्: not beneficial; harmful; inexpedient
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनर्थ्य
• Form: accusative singular neuter; negated counterpart of अर्थ्यम्

• च: and
• Type: Particle
• Root: च
• Form: indeclinable conjunction

More Details

FAQs

How does this verse balance morality and state interest?

It pairs dharma (legitimacy, law, ethical restraint) with artha (state interest, prosperity), treating both as necessary content for rulership.

What is ‘anarthya’ in administrative terms?

Policy that damages state capacity—fiscal loss, unrest, reputational collapse, or strategic vulnerability.