Sutra 8

Devanagari script

शूद्रस्य द्विजातिशुश्रूषा वार्त्ता कारुकुशीलवकर्म च ॥ कZ_०१.३.०८ ॥

Transliteration

śūdrasya dvijātiśuśrūṣā vārttā kārukuśīlavakarma ca

Translation

สำหรับศูทร (วิถีที่กำหนดคือ) การรับใช้ชนทวิชะ การประกอบวารตตา—เกษตรกรรม การเลี้ยงโค/ปศุสัตว์ และการค้า—และงานของช่างฝีมือกับผู้แสดง/ศิลปิน.

Word by Word

• शूद्रस्य: of the Śūdra (for a Śūdra)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूद्र
• Form: षष्ठी-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गम् (सम्बन्ध/अधिकार-निर्देशः)

• द्विजाति-शुश्रूषा: service/attendance upon the twice-born (Brāhmaṇa, Kṣatriya, Vaiśya)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुश्रूषा (√श्रु + उपसर्ग सु-; भाववाचक)
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, स्त्रीलिङ्गम्; द्विजातीनां शुश्रूषा = द्विजातिशुश्रूषा

• वार्त्ता: economic activity/means of livelihood (esp. agriculture, cattle-rearing, trade)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वार्त्ता
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, स्त्रीलिङ्गम्

• कारु-कुशीलव-कर्म: the work/occupation of artisans and performers (crafts and performing arts)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्म (√कृ)
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, नपुंसकलिङ्गम्; कारुणां च कुशीलवानां च कर्म = कारुकुशीलवकर्म

• च: and
• Type: Particle
• Root: च
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्ययम्

Entities Mentioned

• Śūdra
• Dvijāti

More Details

FAQs

What is the strategic objective (Artha) of this verse?

To define a stable labor and production framework that supports state revenue, supply chains, and social predictability—key inputs for security and welfare (yogakshema).

How does this apply to modern governance?

It parallels how states classify and regulate economic roles (agriculture, trade, skilled crafts, services) to ensure workforce availability, productivity, and fiscal stability—though modern systems reject hereditary status and emphasize equal rights.

What is the specific duty of the ruler/official mentioned?

No specific official is named; the implied duty of governance is to maintain enforceable social-economic categories and protect/organize productive occupations so the economy (especially vārttā) reliably sustains the state.