Sutra 39

Devanagari script

रथोरस्यो हस्तिकक्षोऽश्वपृष्ठोऽरिष्टः ॥ कZ_१०.६.३९ ॥

Transliteration

rathorasyo hastikakṣo 'śvapṛṣṭho 'riṣṭaḥ

Translation

The ‘Ariṣṭa’ array has a chariot-breast (front), elephant-flanks, and a cavalry-back (rear).

Word by Word

• रथोरस्यः: (one) connected with/positioned at the chariot’s breast/front (chariot-front)
• Type: Noun (compound adjective)
• Root: रथ + उरस्
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (अश्वपृष्ठः/अरिष्टः इत्यस्य)

• हस्तिकक्षः: (one) at/connected with the elephant’s flank/side-position
• Type: Noun (compound adjective)
• Root: हस्ति + कक्ष
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• अश्वपृष्ठः: (one) on/connected with the horse’s back (mounted position)
• Type: Noun (compound adjective)
• Root: अश्व + पृष्ठ
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• अरिष्टः: unharmed; safe; inviolable
• Type: Noun/Adjective
• Root: अरिष्ट
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; विशेष्यः (पूर्वपदानां विशेषणैः विशिष्यते)

Entities Mentioned

• Ariṣṭa vyūha
• chariots
• elephants
• cavalry

More Details

FAQs

Why place elephants on the flanks in the Ariṣṭa array?

Elephants provide flank-stability and deterrence against envelopment; they also punish lateral penetrations while the front maintains offensive pressure.