Sutra 43

Devanagari script

पत्त्यश्वरथद्विपानां सारत्रिभागमुरस्यं स्थापयेत्द्वौ त्रिभागौ कक्षं पक्षं चोभयतः अनुलोममनुसारम् प्रतिलोमं तृतीयसारम् फल्गु प्रतिलोमम् ॥ कZ_१०.५.४३ ॥

Transliteration

pattyaśvarathadvipānāṃ sāratribhāgam urasyaṃ sthāpayet dvau tribhāgau kakṣaṃ pakṣaṃ ca ubhayataḥ anulomam anusāram pratilomam tṛtīyasāram phalgu pratilomam

Translation

Of infantry, cavalry, chariots, and elephants, station the best third (sāra) in the front; place the remaining two-thirds on both sides as the flanks and wings. Arrange the follow-up (anusāra) in direct order; place the third-grade core behind/in reverse order; and position the light (phalgu) contingent in reverse order.

Word by Word

पत्त्यof the infantry

अश्वof the cavalry (horses)

रथof the chariots

द्विपानाम्of the elephants

सारthe core/central portion

त्रि-भागम्as a threefold division / into three parts

उरस्यंin the front (chest-side) position

स्थापयेत्should place / should deploy

द्वौtwo

त्रि-भागौtwo (remaining) third-portions

कक्षम्the flank/side-guard position

पक्षम्the wing (flank)

चand

उभयतःon both sides

अनुलोमम्in regular/forward order

अनुसारम्according to (the sequence)

प्रतिलोमम्in reverse order

तृतीयthe third

सारम्the core/central portion

फल्गुweak/light (as a feint or lesser force)

प्रतिलोमम्in reverse order

Entities Mentioned

infantry

cavalry

chariots

elephants

sāra troops

phalgu troops

anusāra (support echelon)

FAQs

What is the strategic logic of putting ‘sāra’ forward and ‘phalgu’ in reverse?

Maximize shock and cohesion at first contact while insulating weaker elements from immediate collapse; keep depth and controlled withdrawal/rotation options.