Sutra 40

Devanagari script

पत्तयोऽश्वा रथा हस्तिनश्चानुपृष्ठमचलः ॥ कZ_१०.६.४० ॥

Transliteration

pattayo 'śvā rathā hastinaś cānupṛṣṭham acalaḥ

Translation

In the ‘Acala’ array, infantry, cavalry, chariots, and elephants are arranged successively, one behind another (in depth).

Word by Word

• पत्तयः: infantrymen, foot-soldiers
• Type: Noun
• Root: पत्तिन्
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा बहुवचनम्

• अश्वाः: horses; cavalry
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्व
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा बहुवचनम्

• रथाः: chariots; chariot corps
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा बहुवचनम्

• हस्तिनः: elephants; elephant corps
• Type: Noun
• Root: हस्तिन्
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा बहुवचनम्

• च: and
• Type: Particle
• Root: च
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्ययम्

• अनुपृष्ठम्: in the rear; behind; as a rear formation
• Type: Adverb
• Root: अनुपृष्ठ
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-प्रयोगः; क्रियाविशेषणम् (पश्चात्/पृष्ठतः इत्यर्थे)

• अचलः: immobile; steady; fixed (in position)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अचल
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (अचल = न चलति)

Entities Mentioned

• Acala vyūha
• infantry
• cavalry
• chariots
• elephants

More Details

FAQs

What administrative advantage does a layered (anupṛṣṭha) deployment provide?

It simplifies command by clear sequencing of echelons and enables staged reinforcement—units can be committed in order as conditions evolve.