Sutra 26

Devanagari script

संग्रामस्तु निर्दिष्टदेशकालो धर्मिष्ठः ॥ कZ_१०.३.२६ ॥

Transliteration

saṃgrāmastu nirdiṣṭadeśakālo dharmiṣṭhaḥ

Translation

But a pitched battle (saṃgrāma) is most ‘lawful/dharmic’ when the place and time are specified (openly fixed).

Word by Word

• संग्रामः: battle, armed engagement
• Type: Noun
• Root: संग्राम
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन

• तु: but, however (as for)
• Type: Particle
• Root: तु
• Form: निपात; विरोध/विशेषार्थक

• निर्दिष्ट: specified, prescribed, indicated
• Type: Participle
• Root: नि√दिश्
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन; विशेषण (देशकालस्य)

• देश: place, region (battlefield/location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देश
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन; पूर्वपद (समासे)

• कालः: time, season, proper time
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन; उत्तरपद (समासे)

• धर्मिष्ठः: righteous, in accordance with dharma (just)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्मिष्ठ
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन; विशेषण (संग्रामस्य)

Entities Mentioned

• saṃgrāma (pitched battle)
• dharma (legitimacy)

More Details

FAQs

Why would specifying time and place make battle ‘dharmiṣṭha’ in a political sense?

Because it signals procedural fairness, reduces civilian disruption, and strengthens the king’s legitimacy domestically and diplomatically by showing restraint and transparency.