Sutra 6

Devanagari script

यद्बलः सामन्तस्तद्विशिष्टबलमाश्रयेत् ॥ कZ_०७.२.०६ ॥

Transliteration

yadbalaḥ sāmantas tadviśiṣṭabalam āśrayet

Translation

If the neighboring (feudatory) ruler has such-and-such strength, one should seek shelter with a power that is distinctly superior to that strength.

Word by Word

• यत्: that which; whichever
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: यद्
• Form: सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिकम्; नपुंसकलिङ्ग; एकवचन; प्रथमा/द्वितीया (यत् = 'which/that')

• बलः: strength; military force
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; एकवचन; प्रथमा

• सामन्तः: a neighboring/feudatory king (samanta)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सामन्त
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; एकवचन; प्रथमा

• तत्: that; then (correlative)
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिकम्; नपुंसकलिङ्ग; एकवचन; प्रथमा/द्वितीया (correlative to यत्)

• विशिष्टबलम्: superior strength/force
• Type: Noun
• Root: विशिष्टबल
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; एकवचन; द्वितीया; (विशिष्टं बलम्)

• आश्रयेत्: should resort to; should seek refuge/support in
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-श्रि
• Form: लिङ् (विधिलिङ्); परस्मैपदम्; प्रथमपुरुष; एकवचन

Entities Mentioned

• sāmanta (neighboring ruler/feudatory)
• āśraya (protector)

More Details

FAQs

What is the selection criterion for a protector ally?

Not just ‘strong’, but clearly stronger than the immediate threat—so protection is credible and deterrence works.