Sutra 18

Devanagari script

आत्मवांस्त्वल्पदेशोऽपि युक्तः प्रकृतिसम्पदा ॥ कZ_०६.१.१८अब् ॥

Transliteration

ātmavāṃs tv alpadeśo 'pi yuktaḥ prakṛti-sampadā

Translation

But a self-possessed ruler—even with a small territory—when endowed with the resources of well-formed constituent elements, is effective and secure.

Word by Word

• आत्मवान्: self-possessed; self-controlled
• Type: Noun (adjectival)
• Root: आत्मन्
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचन; गुणवाचक-विशेषण (आत्मवत्-प्रातिपदिक)

• तु: but; however
• Type: Particle
• Root: तु
• Form: निपात; विरोध/विशेषार्थे

• अल्पदेशः: having a small territory; of limited domain
• Type: Noun (adjectival)
• Root: देश
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचन; समासान्त-प्रातिपदिक; ‘अल्पः देशः यस्य’ इति विशेषण

• अपि: even; also
• Type: Particle
• Root: अपि
• Form: निपात; अपि = ‘even/also’ (समुच्चय/अतिशयार्थे)

• युक्तः: endowed; furnished; possessed (of)
• Type: Participle
• Root: युज्
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचन; ‘युक्त’ = युक्त/सम्पन्न/संयुक्त

• प्रकृतिसम्पदा: with the prosperity/resources of the constituent elements of the state (prakṛtis)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सम्पद्
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; तृतीया-एकवचन; ‘प्रकृतीनां सम्पदा’ इति; साधन-करणवाचक तृतीया

Entities Mentioned

• ātmavān (self-controlled ruler)
• prakṛti (state elements)

More Details

FAQs

What is the core strategic lesson of 6.1.18ab?

Territorial size is secondary to institutional strength and disciplined leadership; a small state can be strong if its core elements are robust.