Sutra 11

Devanagari script

संघा हि संहतत्वादधृष्याः परेषाम् ॥ कZ_११.१.०२ ॥

Transliteration

saṃghā hi saṃhatatvād adhṛṣyāḥ pareṣām

Translation

Corporate polities (saṅghas) are hard for outsiders to overpower because they act in cohesion.

Word by Word

• संघाः: leagues/assemblies (corporate polities)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संघ
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-बहुवचन

• हि: indeed/for
• Type: Particle
• Root: हि
• Form: निपात; अव्यय; हेत्वर्थ/समर्थक

• संहतत्वात्: because of their cohesion/unity
• Type: Noun
• Root: संहतत्व
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; पञ्चमी-एकवचन; हेतौ (कारणार्थे)

• अधृष्याः: invincible / not easily assailable
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धृष् (धर्षणे)
• Form: नञ्-उपसर्गयुक्त कृदन्त-विशेषण (a-धृष्य = not-to-be-overpowered); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-बहुवचन; ‘संघाः’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• परेषाम्: of others (i.e., of enemies/other kings)
• Type: Pronoun/Adjective (used substantively)
• Root: पर
• Form: षष्ठी-बहुवचन; ‘अन्येषाम्/शत्रूणाम्’ अर्थे

Entities Mentioned

• saṅgha

More Details

FAQs

Why does Kauṭilya consider saṅghas difficult to defeat?

Because their cohesion (saṃhatatva) prevents easy intimidation, bribery, or decapitation of leadership by an outsider.