Sutra 11

Devanagari script

बन्धुमुख्यप्रग्रहः प्रतिग्रहः ॥ कZ_०७.१७.११ ॥

Transliteration

bandhu-mukhya-pragrahaḥ pratigrahaḥ

Translation

A ‘counter-pledge’ (pratigraha) is the taking/holding (pragraha) of a kinsman or a principal (leading person).

Word by Word

• बन्धु-मुख्य-प्रग्रहः: control/restraint exercised chiefly through kinsmen (i.e., using relatives as principal leverage)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्र + √ग्रह् (ग्रहँ उपादाने)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन; समासः—बन्धु (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/सम्बन्ध) + मुख्य (विशेषण) + प्रग्रह (प्रधान-ग्रहण/नियन्त्रण) → ‘बन्धुमुख्यप्रग्रह’

• प्रतिग्रहः: acceptance/receiving (especially of gifts, offerings, or grants)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रति + √ग्रह् (ग्रहँ उपादाने)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन; ‘प्रतिग्रह’ = प्रतिग्रहणम्/स्वीकारः

Entities Mentioned

• kinsman
• principal person (mukhya)

More Details

FAQs

What is the administrative purpose of a ‘counter-pledge’?

It creates enforceable reciprocity: by holding a high-value person, the state gains leverage to deter breach and to compel performance without immediate war.