Sutra 28
Devanagari script
तस्मात्प्रभूतोदके देशे वर्षति च हस्तिबलप्रायो यायात् ॥ कZ_०९.१.४८ ॥
Transliteration
tasmāt prabhūtodake deśe varṣati ca hastibalaprāyo yāyāt
Translation
Therefore, in a region with plentiful water—and when it is raining—one should march with a force mainly of elephants.
Word by Word
तस्मात्therefore; from that (reason)
तस्मात्:
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
Formablative singular (पञ्चमी एकवचन), masculine/neuter; pronominal stem
प्रभूत-उदकेin (a place) with abundant water
प्रभूत-उदके:
TypeAdjective + Noun (compound)
Rootप्रभूत + उदक
Formlocative singular (सप्तमी एकवचन), neuter; agrees with देशे; compound meaning ‘having abundant water’
देशेin a region/country
देशे:
TypeNoun
Rootदेश
Formlocative singular (सप्तमी एकवचन), masculine
वर्षतिit rains
वर्षति:
TypeVerb
Rootवृष्
Formpresent indicative, parasmaipada, 3rd person singular; (of rain) ‘it rains’
चand; also
च:
TypeParticle
Rootच
Formindeclinable conjunction
हस्ति-बल-प्रायःhaving predominantly elephant troops
हस्ति-बल-प्रायः:
TypeAdjective (compound)
Rootहस्ति + बल + प्राय
Formnominative singular (प्रथमा एकवचन), masculine; predicate adjective qualifying the (implied) subject (e.g., an army/king): ‘mostly consisting of elephant-force’
यायात्should go; should march
यायात्:
TypeVerb
Rootया
Formoptative (vidhiliṅ), parasmaipada, 3rd person singular; injunctive sense ‘should go/march’
Entities Mentioned
H
hasti-balaW
water-rich regionFAQs
Given elephants’ dependence on water and susceptibility to heat-related ailments, the state should deploy elephant-heavy forces only where environmental conditions sustain them.