Sutra 22

Devanagari script

भूमिगुणानामपाश्रयः श्रेयान् ॥ कZ_०७.११.२२ ॥

Transliteration

bhūmi-guṇānām apāśrayaḥ śreyān

Translation

It is preferable not to depend solely on the inherent qualities of the land.

Word by Word

• भूमि-गुणानाम्: of the qualities of the land/territory
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूमि; गुण
• Form: समासः (भूमेः गुणाः) । ‘गुण’ पुं., षष्ठी-बहुवचनम्; समस्तपदम्

• अपाश्रयः: non-dependence; not taking refuge/support (of others)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आ-श्रि (श्रयति) उपसर्गः अप-आ-
• Form: पुं., प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; ‘अपाश्रय’ = आश्रयाभावः/आश्रय-रहितता

• श्रेयान्: is better/superior
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रेयस् (प्रशस्यतर)
• Form: पुं., प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; तुलनात्मकः (comparative)

Entities Mentioned

• land qualities (bhūmi-guṇa)

More Details

FAQs

How should a ruler interpret ‘do not rely on land qualities’?

Natural advantages are insufficient without controllable factors—people, forts, administration, and security—so strategy should not be land-determinist.

What policy follows from this?

Invest in governance capacity (personnel, logistics, fortification, intelligence) rather than assuming fertile land guarantees power.