Sutra 16

Devanagari script

पार्श्वस्थो वा बलस्थयोरासन्नभयात्प्रतिकुर्वीत ॥ कZ_०७.२.१६ ॥

Transliteration

pārśvastho vā balasthayor āsannabhayāt pratikurvīta

Translation

Or a neighboring (side-positioned) king, being in close danger from the stronger parties, should take counter-measures.

Word by Word

• पार्श्वस्थः: one stationed at the side; a close attendant/associate
• Type: Noun (adjectival)
• Root: पार्श्व + स्थ
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग; विशेषणम् (कर्तरि)

• वा: or
• Type: Particle
• Root: वा
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्ययम्

• बलस्थयोः: of the two who are stationed with the army/forces
• Type: Noun (adjectival)
• Root: बल + स्थ
• Form: षष्ठी/सप्तमी-द्विवचन? (रूपतः: -स्थयोः = षष्ठी-द्विवचन); ‘बलस्थ’ = बलमध्ये/बलपर्यन्ते स्थित; द्वयोः (two persons)

• आसन्नभयात्: from/owing to imminent danger
• Type: Noun
• Root: आसन्न + भय
• Form: पञ्चमी-एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (भय-शब्दः); हेतौ पञ्चमी

• प्रतिकुर्वीत: should counteract / should retaliate
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (प्रति + कृ)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; लोट्-भावे विधानम्

Entities Mentioned

• pārśvastha (neighboring king)
• two stronger forces (implicit)

More Details

FAQs

What is the strategic logic of ‘pratikurvīta’ under imminent danger?

When threat is immediate, waiting increases vulnerability; timely counter-action aims to disrupt the adversary’s initiative.