Arthashastra 3.2.8: Dharmasthiya, Adhyaya 2, Sutra 8

Devanagari script

प्रसह्यादानाद् राक्षसः ॥

Recitation with translationArthashastra 3.2.8

Transliteration

prasahyādānād rākṣasaḥ

Translation

బలవంతంగా కన్యను తీసుకుపోతే అది రాక్షస వివాహం.

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Word by Word

• प्रसह्य: by force; forcibly (having overpowered)
• Type: Indeclinable (Gerund)
• Root: सह् (प्र + सह्)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ल्यप्/क्त्वा-भाव), उपसर्गः प्र-; अर्थः ‘बलात् कृत्वा/प्रयोग्य’

• आदानात्: from/through taking away; from forcible seizure
• Type: Noun
• Root: दा (आ + दा)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, पञ्चमी (अपादान/हेतु-अर्थे); ‘आदान’ (ग्रहण/अपहरण) शब्दः

• राक्षसः: (the marriage type called) Rākṣasa
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा; (विवाह-प्रकार-नाम)

Entities Mentioned

• rākṣasa vivāha
• victim (kanyā) [implied]

More Details

FAQs

What is the administrative significance of labeling forced taking as a marriage type?

It lets the legal system classify and process such cases distinctly—linking family-status consequences with penalties for coercion and breach of public order.