Sutra 25

Devanagari script

तत्राभिजनशरीरकर्मणां दोषवचनं निन्दा ॥ कZ_०२.१०.२५ ॥

Transliteration

tatrābhijanaśarīrakarmaṇāṃ doṣavacanaṃ nindā

Translation

在此，“谴责/非难”（nindā）是指陈述某人在家世、身体或品行/行为方面的过失。

Word by Word

• तत्र: there; in that context
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र
• Form: अव्यय (देशवाचक)

• अभिजन: lineage; noble birth
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभि√जन् (अभिजन)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद)

• शरीर: body; physique
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरीर
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद)

• कर्मणाम्: of actions; of deeds
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन्
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी बहुवचन

• दोष: fault; defect
• Type: Noun
• Root: दोष
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; समासः दोष-वचनम् = दोषस्य वचनम्

• वचनम्: statement; utterance
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचन
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; समस्तपदम्: दोषवचनम्

• निन्दा: censure; blame; denunciation
• Type: Noun
• Root: निन्दा
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन (परिभाषा/लक्षणवाक्ये विधेय)

More Details

FAQs

Why include ‘lineage’ and ‘body’ in the scope of censure?

Kautilya is describing the full rhetorical range used in official rebuke—covering social standing, personal attributes, and conduct—though in practice a prudent state would regulate such speech to avoid backlash.