Sutra 10

Devanagari script

यतो वा दूष्यफल्गुबलं ततोऽभिहन्यात् ॥ कZ_१०.३.१० ॥

Transliteration

yato vā dūṣya-phalgubalaṃ tato 'bhihanyāt

Translation

From whichever side the enemy’s force is vulnerable or weak, from that side one should strike.

Word by Word

• यतः: from which (source/side)
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: यद्
• Form: ablative singular (m./n.); relative adverbial use ‘from which/wherefrom’

• वा: or; alternatively
• Type: Particle
• Root: वा
• Form: indeclinable; disjunctive/emphatic particle

• दूष्य: defective; corrupted; unsound
• Type: Adjective/Participle
• Root: दूष्
• Form: (from past passive participle sense) ‘to be corrupted/defective’; here used adjectivally as first member of compound

• फल्गु: weak; paltry; ineffective
• Type: Adjective
• Root: फल्गु
• Form: adjective ‘weak/insignificant’; here used adjectivally as member of compound

• बलम्: force; army; strength
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल
• Form: neuter nominative/accusative singular; ‘force/army/strength’

• ततः: from there; from that (side/source)
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: ablative singular (m./n.); adverbial ‘from there/from that (source)’

• अभिहन्यात्: should attack; should strike
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-हन्
• Form: optative (vidhi-liṅ), parasmaipada, 3rd person singular; ‘should strike/attack’ with prefix अभि-

Entities Mentioned

• enemy weak point

More Details

FAQs

What modern planning function does this sutra most resemble?

A targeting/COA selection rule: identify vulnerability and concentrate combat power at the weakest point.