Sutra 46

Devanagari script

स तूर्यघोषध्वजपताकाभिर्व्यूहाङ्गानां संज्ञाः स्थापयेदङ्गविभागे संघाते स्थाने गमने व्यावर्तने प्रहरणे च ॥ कZ_१०.६.४६ ॥

Transliteration

sa tūryaghoṣadhvajapatākābhir vyūhāṅgānāṃ saṃjñāḥ sthāpayet aṅgavibhāge saṃghāte sthāne gamane vyāvartane praharaṇe ca

Translation

He should establish signals for the components of the battle array by means of trumpet/drum calls, banners, and flags—(signals) for division of units, concentration, holding position, advance, wheeling/turning back, and for attack.

Word by Word

सःhe (the commander/king)

तूर्यघोषध्वजपताकाभिःby (means of) drum/bugle-sounds, standards and flags

व्यूहाङ्गानाम्of the parts of the battle-formation

संज्ञाःsignals, designations (codes)

स्थापयेत्should establish / should set up

अङ्गविभागेin the division of units (parts)

संघातेin concentration / closing up (of troops)

स्थानेin halting / in taking position

गमनेin moving / marching

व्यावर्तनेin turning about / wheeling / withdrawing

प्रहरणेin attacking / striking

चand

Entities Mentioned

tūryaghoṣa (instrument signals)

dhvaja (banners)

patākā (flags)

FAQs

What does this sūtra imply about Kautilya’s view of battlefield control?

That cohesion is produced by standardized communication: pre-set codes for key actions (split, mass, hold, advance, wheel, strike) are essential to execute formations reliably.