Sutra 21
Devanagari script
द्वाभ्यामुपहतो वा मण्डलापाश्रयस्तिष्ठेत्मध्यममुदासीनं वा संश्रयेत ॥ कZ_०७.२.२१ ॥
Transliteration
dvābhyām upahato vā maṇḍalāpāśrayas tiṣṭhet madhyamam udāsīnaṃ vā saṃśrayeta
Translation
Or, if struck by two powers, he should stand under the protection of the circle of states; or seek refuge with the mediator (middle king) or a neutral.
Word by Word
द्वाभ्याम्by two (powers/parties)
द्वाभ्याम्:
TypeNumeral (used adjectivally)
Rootद्वि
Formसंख्या-शब्द; तृतीया-द्विवचन (instrumental dual); विशेषण-प्रयोगः
उपहतःafflicted/pressed (upon)
उपहतः:
TypeParticiple (verbal adjective)
Rootउप-हन्
Formकृदन्त; भूतकृदन्त (क्त); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन; ‘उपहन्’ धातोः—‘struck/afflicted’
वाor
वा:
TypeParticle
Rootवा
Formविकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (or)
मण्डल-अपाश्रयःone who has taken refuge/support in (another) mandala / external support within the circle of kings
मण्डल-अपाश्रयः:
TypeNoun (compound)
Rootमण्डल; अप-आश्रि (→ अपाश्रय)
Formपुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचन; ‘मण्डलस्य अपाश्रयः’ = one whose support/refuge is (outside/away from) the circle of kings
तिष्ठेत्should stay/hold position
तिष्ठेत्:
TypeVerb
Rootस्था
Formलिङ् (विधिलिङ्); परस्मैपद; प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; ‘should remain/stand’
मध्यमम्the middle king (madhyama)
मध्यमम्:
TypeNoun/Adjective (technical)
Rootमध्यम
Formपुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-एकवचन; कर्मपद—‘मध्यम (राजा)’
उदासीनम्the neutral king (udāsīna)
उदासीनम्:
TypeNoun/Adjective (technical)
Rootउदासीन
Formपुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-एकवचन; कर्मपद—‘उदासीन (राजा)’
वाor
वा:
TypeParticle
Rootवा
Formविकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (or)
संश्रयेतshould take refuge/seek protection (with)
संश्रयेत:
TypeVerb
Rootसम्-श्रि
Formलिङ् (विधिलिङ्); आत्मनेपद; प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; ‘should take refuge/seek shelter’
Entities Mentioned
T
two hostile kings (implicit)M
maṇḍala (circle of states)M
madhyama (mediator king)U
udāsīna (neutral king)FAQs
Using the wider regional system—alliances, rivalries, and third-party guarantees—to prevent isolation when facing a two-front threat.