Sutra 29

Devanagari script

सम्पन्नः प्रतिनिर्गच्छेत्परावग्रहमात्मनः ॥ कZ_०७.१४.२९च्द् ॥

Transliteration

sampannaḥ pratinirgacchet parāvagraham ātmanaḥ

Translation

When adequately prepared, he should withdraw/return so as to avoid being seized or constrained by the enemy.

Word by Word

• सम्पन्नः: being well-prepared / well-provisioned
• Type: Adjective (Participle)
• Root: सम् + √पद् (पद्/पद्यते)
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; भूतकृदन्तः (क्त), ‘सम्पन्न’ = सम्पन्न-विशेषणम्

• प्रतिनिर्गच्छेत्: should withdraw / should retreat
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति + निर् + √गम्
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; अकर्मकप्रयोगः (intransitive)

• परावग्रहम्: defeat / loss / adverse situation
• Type: Noun (Action noun)
• Root: परा + अव + √ग्रह्
• Form: द्वितीया-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; ‘परावग्रह’ = पराभव-ग्रहण/पराजय-स्वीकार/हानि-ग्रहण (contextual)

• आत्मनः: of oneself / of one’s own (side)
• Type: Noun (Pronoun-like)
• Root: आत्मन्
• Form: षष्ठी-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; स्वार्थे (of oneself/one’s own)

Entities Mentioned

• para (enemy)
• ātmā (own side/forces)

More Details

FAQs

Why does Kauṭilya treat withdrawal as a strategic act rather than a failure?

Because preserving the core force and avoiding enemy control enables future bargaining or renewed operations; survival of capability is a primary objective.