Sutra 9

Devanagari script

अश्वस्य त्रयः पुरुषाः प्रतियोद्धारः ॥ कZ_१०.५.०९ ॥

Transliteration

aśvasya trayaḥ puruṣāḥ pratiyoddhāraḥ

Translation

For each horse, there are three men as counter-combatants (assigned fighters).

Word by Word

• अश्वस्य: of a horse / for a horse
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्व
• Form: षष्ठी-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गम्

• त्रयः: three
• Type: Numeral (Adjective)
• Root: त्रि
• Form: प्रथमा-बहुवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गम् (विशेषणम्)

• पुरुषाः: men / persons
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुष
• Form: प्रथमा-बहुवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गम्

• प्रतियोद्धारः: fighters / combatants
• Type: Noun (agent noun)
• Root: प्रति-युध्
• Form: प्रथमा-बहुवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गम्; कर्तरि-ण्वुल्/तृच्-प्रत्ययार्थकः (योद्धृ-भावः)

Entities Mentioned

• horse unit
• pratiyoddhāra (combat personnel)

More Details

FAQs

What is the governance value of fixing a ‘three men per horse’ rule?

It standardizes unit establishments for budgeting, recruitment, and replacement planning, and prevents under-manned tactical elements.

What roles might the three men cover?

Operationally: rider/fighter plus immediate support (relief, protection, or handling), ensuring continuity under fatigue or casualties.