Sutra 8

Devanagari script

पञ्चधनुरनीकसंधिः पक्षकक्षोरस्यानाम् ॥ कZ_१०.५.०८ ॥

Transliteration

pañcadhanur anīkasaṃdhiḥ pakṣakakṣorasyānām

Translation

يكون موضع الوصل/التباعد في صفّ القتال (anīka-saṃdhi) للأجنحة والجوانب ووسط المقدّمة بمقدار خمسة أطوال قوس.

Word by Word

• पञ्चधनुरनीकसन्धिः: the joining/spacing of battle-lines measured as five bow-lengths
• Type: Noun
• Root: सन्धि
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; समासः = पञ्च-धनुः-अनीक-सन्धिः (पञ्चधनुः = परिमाणविशेषः; अनीक = सैन्यपङ्क्तिः/व्यूहः; सन्धिः = संयोग/जोड)

• पक्षकक्षोरस्यानाम्: of the flanks, the side-guards (covered sides), and the front (chest)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पक्ष / कक्ष / उरस्
• Form: षष्ठी-बहुवचनम्; समासः = पक्ष-कक्ष-उरस् (द्वन्द्व-समासः, समाहारार्थः) + आनाम् (षष्ठी बहुवचन प्रत्ययः)

Entities Mentioned

• anīka (battle array)
• pakṣa (wing)
• kakṣa (flank)
• urasya (front/center-front)

More Details

FAQs

What does ‘anīka-saṃdhi’ function as in modern terms?

A prescribed interval/frontage standard at key formation segments, enabling predictable alignment and controlled reinforcement.

Why regulate wings, flanks, and the front separately?

These are structurally distinct pressure points in battle; uniform intervals reduce weak seams and simplify command-and-control.