Sutra 9
Devanagari script
तद्विशिष्टं तु राजानमाश्रितो दुर्गमविषह्यं वा चेष्टेत ॥ कZ_१२.१.०९ ॥
Transliteration
tadviśiṣṭaṃ tu rājānamāśrito durgamaviṣahyaṃ vā ceṣṭeta
Translation
Daher soll er sich einem überlegenen König anschließen und handeln—oder andernfalls von einer schwer zu bezwingenden Festung aus operieren.
Word by Word
तद्विशिष्टम्one distinguished by that (i.e., possessing that distinguishing feature)
तद्विशिष्टम्:
TypeAdjective (used substantively)
Rootविशिष् (वि+शिष्)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा/द्वितीया; ‘तद्’ (तस्य/तत्) + ‘विशिष्ट’ (कृदन्त, क्त) = ‘तद्विशिष्टम्’
तुbut; however
तु:
TypeParticle
Rootतु
Formअव्यय; विरोध/विशेषार्थे
राजानम्the king
राजानम्:
TypeNoun
Rootराजन्
Formपुंलिङ्ग, एकवचन, द्वितीया
आश्रितःhaving resorted to / having taken refuge with
आश्रितः:
TypeParticiple (verbal adjective)
Rootश्रि (आ+श्रि)
Formकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा; कर्तरि प्रयोगे ‘having taken refuge/attached oneself’
दुर्गम्a fort; stronghold
दुर्गम्:
TypeNoun
Rootदुर्ग
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, द्वितीया
अविषह्यम्unassailable; impossible to overcome/endure
अविषह्यम्:
TypeAdjective
Rootसह् (वि+सह्)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, द्वितीया; ‘अ-’ नञ् + ‘विषह्य’ (यत्/ण्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त: ‘to be endured/overcome’)
वाor
वा:
TypeParticle
Rootवा
Formअव्यय; विकल्पार्थे
चेष्टेतshould act; should attempt/endeavour
चेष्टेत:
TypeVerb
Rootचेष्ट्
Formलिङ् (विधिलिङ्), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद-समर्थ धातु, अत्र आत्मनेपदप्रयोगः; अर्थः ‘should act/endeavour’
Entities Mentioned
R
rājā (superior king)FAQs
Two classic hedges: (1) align under a stronger protector to deter attack, or (2) shift to fortress-based defense to raise attacker costs and buy time.
Investment in fort logistics—stores, garrisoning, supply lines, and local support—so that defense is sustainable, not merely symbolic.