Arthashastra 3.2.1: Dharmasthiya, Adhyaya 2, Sutra 1

Devanagari script

विवाहपूर्वो व्यवहारः ॥

Recitation with translationArthashastra 3.2.1

Transliteration

vivāhapūrvo vyavahāraḥ

Translation

การดำเนินการทางกฎหมายที่เกี่ยวกับภรรยา (สิทธิและหน้าที่ในสมรส) ตั้งอยู่บนพื้นฐานของการสมรสที่ชอบด้วยกฎหมาย

Ask anything about this verse...Ask

Word by Word

• विवाहपूर्वः: prior to marriage; pre-marital
• Type: Adjective (used predicatively)
• Root: विवाह + पूर्व
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गम्; समासः—विवाहस्य पूर्वः (पूर्व = विशेषण-प्रातिपदिक)

• व्यवहारः: legal dispute; lawsuit; judicial case
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यवहार
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गम्; कर्तृ/विषय-रूपेण (वाक्ये विधेय)

Entities Mentioned

• marriage (vivāha)

More Details

FAQs

What is the governance logic behind making marriage a prerequisite for marital claims?

It prevents ambiguous claims, enables registration/recognition of status, and allows the state to adjudicate inheritance, maintenance, and legitimacy disputes consistently.

What does vyavahāra mean here?

An actionable legal relation—matters that can be brought before the court for decision.