Sutra 21
Devanagari script
भूतानां कृष्णसंधीज्याः सेनान्यः शुक्लसंधुषु ॥ कZ_०२.३२.२१च्द् ॥
Transliteration
bhūtānāṃ kṛṣṇasaṃdhījyāḥ senānyaḥ śuklasaṃdhuṣu
Translation
For (propitiation regarding) bhūtas, the observances are to be performed at the junctions of the dark fortnight; for commanders, at the junctions of the bright fortnight.
Word by Word
भूतानाम्of living beings / of creatures (i.e., of the people)
भूतानाम्:
TypeNoun
Rootभूत
Formषष्ठी-बहुवचनम् (Genitive plural), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (भूत-शब्दः)
कृष्ण-सन्धि-ज्याःbowstrings having a black joint/black binding (black-spliced bowstrings)
कृष्ण-सन्धि-ज्याः:
TypeNoun
Rootज्या
Formप्रथमा-बहुवचनम् (Nominative plural), स्त्रीलिङ्ग; समासः: कृष्णा सन्धिः यस्याः ताः (बहुव्रीह्यर्थे प्रयोगः) / कृष्णसन्धि + ज्या (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः)
सेनान्यःarmy commanders / generals
सेनान्यः:
TypeNoun
Rootसेनानी
Formप्रथमा-बहुवचनम् (Nominative plural), पुंलिङ्ग
शुक्ल-सन्धुषुin/among white joints/splices (white bindings)
शुक्ल-सन्धुषु:
TypeNoun
Rootसन्धु
Formसप्तमी-बहुवचनम् (Locative plural), पुंलिङ्ग; समासः: शुक्लः सन्धुः (विशेषण-विशेष्यभावः)
Entities Mentioned
B
bhūtas (harmful influences/spirits)S
senānī (commander/general)FAQs
It standardizes timing and separates functions: risk/ill-omen management (bhūta) vs leadership honor/legitimation (commanders), reinforcing discipline and morale through predictable public acts.
As a category for perceived harmful influences (disease, panic, bad omens) that the state addresses via sanctioned procedures to stabilize troops and public confidence.