Sutra 18

Devanagari script

यथोपकारं वा विभजेत् ॥ कZ_०३.९.१८ ॥

Transliteration

yathopakāraṃ vā vibhajet

Translation

或者（裁断者）应按所提供的利益大小（即按贡献/服务）按比例分配。

Word by Word

• यथा: as, according to (the manner/measure)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा
• Form: अव्यय; उपमान/प्रकारवाचक; ‘as/according as’

• उपकारम्: benefit, service rendered, help
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपकार
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-एकवचन; कर्मपद (measure/standard)

• वा: or, alternatively
• Type: Particle
• Root: वा
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक (alternative)

• विभजेत्: should divide, should apportion
• Type: Verb
• Root: भज्
• Form: लिङ् (विधिलिङ्); परस्मैपदम्; प्रथमपुरुष; एकवचन; उपसर्ग: वि-; अर्थ: ‘to divide/apportion’

More Details

FAQs

When is yathopakāra (proportional division) relevant in land disputes?

When exclusive title is unclear but contributions (labor, investment, maintenance, improvements) are ascertainable, the remedy can be proportional allocation.