Sutra 49
Devanagari script
तत्राभिजनशरीरकर्मप्रकृतिश्रुतद्रव्यादीनां गुणग्रहणं प्रशंसा स्तुतिर्गुणसंकीर्तनम् ॥ कZ_०२.१०.४९ ॥
Transliteration
tatrābhijana-śarīra-karma-prakṛti-śruta-dravyādīnāṃ guṇa-grahaṇaṃ praśaṃsā stutir guṇa-saṃkīrtanam
Translation
Here, “enumeration of merits” (guṇa-saṃkīrtana) is the apprehension and praise—commendation and eulogy—of merits such as lineage, physique, deeds, disposition, learning/reputation, wealth, and the like.
Word by Word
तत्रthere; in that context
तत्र:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतत्र
Formअव्यय (देशवाचक)
अभिजनlineage; noble birth
अभिजन:
TypeNoun
Rootअभिजन
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया/सम्बोधन एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद)
शरीरbody; physique
शरीर:
TypeNoun
Rootशरीर
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया/सम्बोधन एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद)
कर्मaction; conduct; deeds
कर्म:
TypeNoun
Rootकर्मन्
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया/सम्बोधन एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद)
प्रकृतिnature; disposition
प्रकृति:
TypeNoun
Rootप्रकृति
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया/सम्बोधन एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद)
श्रुतlearning; education; what is heard/learned
श्रुत:
TypeNoun/Adjective (Kṛdanta)
Rootश्रुत
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग (श्रुतम्) / विशेषणरूपेण, प्रथमा/द्वितीया/सम्बोधन एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद); कृदन्त (√श्रु + क्त)
द्रव्यproperty; wealth; substance
द्रव्य:
TypeNoun
Rootद्रव्य
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया/सम्बोधन एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद)
आदीनाम्and others; and the like (of these etc.)
आदीनाम्:
TypeNoun (indeclinable-like in compound)
Rootआदि
Formपुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी बहुवचन; ‘आदि’ = ‘and the rest’ (समाहार/अन्यसमुच्चय)
गुणquality; merit
गुण:
TypeNoun
Rootगुण
Formपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद)
ग्रहणम्apprehension; taking/mentioning
ग्रहणम्:
TypeNoun (action noun)
Rootग्रहण
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; भाववाचक (√ग्रह् + ल्युट्)
प्रशंसाpraise; commendation
प्रशंसा:
TypeNoun
Rootप्रशंसा
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन
स्तुतिःeulogy; praise
स्तुतिः:
TypeNoun
Rootस्तुति
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन
गुणquality; merit
गुण:
TypeNoun
Rootगुण
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद)
संकीर्तनम्recital; proclamation; celebrating (of qualities)
संकीर्तनम्:
TypeNoun (action noun)
Rootसंकीर्तन
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; भाववाचक (सम् + √कीर्त् + ल्युट्)
FAQs
Because recognition of status markers functions as a low-cost incentive, reduces resistance, and opens negotiation by satisfying honor and rank concerns.
It can slide into flattery that obscures facts; Kautilya therefore embeds it within a broader toolkit (mutual benefit, future outcomes, guarantees) rather than relying on praise alone.