Studies in Ancient Hindu Polity (Based on the Arthashastra of Kautilya), Vol. I c6.14

c6.14

(iii) Appointing, on the principle of profit-sharing, cowherds whose herd comprised cattle with diseased limbs (बाधिताङ्गानि), those which could not be milked or were difficult to milk (अदोहदुर्दहाः), and those that killed their calves (पुत्रघ्नी). Each herd was composed of the above four classes in equal numbers. As the tending of these herds was difficult, it was rewarded by a share in the out-turn from the herds. This arrangement was known as भृतकभृतक.¹