Sutra 4

Devanagari script

अल्पोऽपि चास्य दण्डस्तेजसा कृत्यकरो भवति ॥ कZ_०९.१.०४ ॥

Transliteration

alpo'pi cāsya daṇḍas tejasā kṛtyakaro bhavati

Translation

Even a small coercive force (daṇḍa) of his becomes effective in accomplishing tasks when backed by tejas (commanding authority and vigor).

Word by Word

• अल्पः: small, slight
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अल्प
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; विशेषणम् (दण्डः इत्यस्य)

• अपि: even, although
• Type: Particle
• Root: अपि
• Form: निपात; अपि-शब्दः (अपि = even/although)

• च: and
• Type: Conjunction
• Root: च
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय

• अस्य: of him/its (of this)
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: इदम्
• Form: षष्ठी एकवचन (पुं/नपुं); सम्बन्धे

• दण्डः: punishment; the king’s coercive power
• Type: Noun
• Root: दण्ड
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; कर्तृपद (भवति इत्यस्य)

• तेजसा: by (his) power/majesty
• Type: Noun
• Root: तेजस्
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया एकवचन; करणम्/हेतौ (by/through)

• कृत्यकरः: effective; accomplishing the intended task
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत्यकर
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; विशेषणम् (दण्डः इत्यस्य); कृत्यस्य (कार्यस्य) करः = कृत्यकरः

• भवति: becomes, is
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू
• Form: लट् (वर्तमानकाल), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Entities Mentioned

• daṇḍa
• tejas

More Details

FAQs

How can 'small daṇḍa' still work according to this verse?

When authority is credible—clear command, discipline, and certainty of action—limited resources can still produce compliance and results.