Sutra 37

Devanagari script

त्रयाणामर्धचन्द्रकः कर्कटकशृङ्गी वा ॥ कZ_१०.६.३७ ॥

Transliteration

trayāṇām ardhacandrakaḥ karkaṭakaśṛṅgī vā

Translation

For a formation composed of three divisions, the recommended array is either the ‘Half-moon’ (ardhacandraka) or the ‘Crab-horn’ (karkaṭakaśṛṅgī).

Word by Word

• त्रयाणाम्: of three
• Type: Noun (Numeral)
• Root: त्रि
• Form: षष्ठी-बहुवचनम् (genitive plural), पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (numeral stem)

• अर्धचन्द्रकः: the half-moon (crescent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्ध + चन्द्र
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः

• कर्कटकशृङ्गी: the crab-horned (one), i.e., ‘crab’s-horn’ shape
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्कटक + शृङ्गिन्
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः (शृङ्गिन्-प्रातिपदिक)

• वा: or
• Type: Particle
• Root: वा
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्ययम् (disjunctive)

Entities Mentioned

• ardhacandraka (half-moon array)
• karkaṭakaśṛṅgī (crab-horn array)

More Details

FAQs

What is the tactical principle behind recommending ardhacandraka or karkaṭakaśṛṅgī for three divisions?

Both emphasize controlled curvature/envelopment: with only three divisions, curved or pincer-like fronts help protect flanks and concentrate pressure without requiring many sub-units.