Sutra 27

Devanagari script

एकाङ्गबाहुल्यमन्वावापः ॥ कZ_१०.५.२७ ॥

Transliteration

ekāṅgabāhulyam anvāvāpaḥ

Translation

When one arm (a single troop-type) is in excess, the arrangement is called anvāvāpa (supplementary apportionment).

Word by Word

• एकाङ्गबाहुल्यम्: excessive reliance on a single limb/factor; one-sided predominance
• Type: Noun
• Root: बहुल्य (from बहुल)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; समासः—एकाङ्गस्य बाहुल्यम् (एकाङ्ग = एक + अङ्ग)

• अन्वावापः: repeated addition/application in sequence; successive re-introduction
• Type: Noun
• Root: √वप् (वपन/वाप) with अनु-आ- उपसर्गौ
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; कृदन्त-निर्मित संज्ञा (भाव/क्रिया-नाम) — अनु+आ+√वप् → अन्वावाप (समुच्चयेन/अनुगत्य पुनः पुनः निवेशः/प्रक्षेपः)

Entities Mentioned

• eka-aṅga (single troop-type)
• anvāvāpa (apportionment method)

More Details

FAQs

What operational problem does ‘anvāvāpa’ address?

It names a compensatory deployment used when one troop-type dominates, so the commander can systematize how the excess is integrated without distorting the array.

Why does Kautilya classify such imbalances explicitly?

To convert ad hoc battlefield adjustments into repeatable doctrine, improving command clarity and coordination.