Sutra 13

Devanagari script

पार्श्वतो विषमायामितरतोऽभिहन्यात् ॥ कZ_१०.३.१३ ॥

Transliteration

pārśvato viṣamāyām itarato 'bhihanyāt

Translation

When uneven ground lies on one flank, strike from the other side.

Word by Word

• पार्श्वतः: from the flank/side
• Type: Adverb
• Root: पार्श्व
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (पार्श्व + तसिल् → पार्श्वतः); अर्थे: 'पार्श्वे/पार्श्वात्' = 'from/at the side'

• विषमायाम्: the opponent’s unevenly extended/reached position (unequal reach)
• Type: Noun (compound)
• Root: विषम + आयाम
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, एकवचन, द्वितीया; (विषम-आयाम्) = 'irregular/uneven extension (reach/length)'; कर्मपद (object) as target/point of striking

• इतरतः: otherwise / from the other side
• Type: Adverb
• Root: इतर
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (इतर + तसिल् → इतरतः); अर्थे: 'otherwise/from the other side/elsewhere'

• अभिहन्यात्: he should strike/attack
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन्
• Form: लिङ् (विधिलिङ्), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; उपसर्ग: अभि-; धातु: हन् (2P) → हन्यात्; विध्यर्थः: 'should strike/attack'

Entities Mentioned

• flank
• uneven terrain

More Details

FAQs

What principle of force employment is implied here?

Minimize your own movement penalties while maximizing the enemy’s—choose the axis of advance that reduces friction for you and increases it for them.