Sutra 8
Devanagari script
महादोषो हि विशिष्टबलसमागमो राज्ञामन्यत्रारिविगृहीतात् ॥ कZ_०७.२.०८ ॥
Transliteration
mahādoṣo hi viśiṣṭabalasamāgamo rājñām anyatrārivigṛhītāt
Translation
For kings, joining with a markedly superior force is a grave fault—except when one has already been seized/subdued by the enemy.
Word by Word
महादोषःa great fault/danger
महादोषः:
TypeNoun
Rootदुष् (दोष)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन; महा + दोष
हिindeed, for
हि:
TypeParticle
Rootहि
Formनिपात; हेतौ/निश्चये
विशिष्टबलसमागमःthe coming together/combination of special (superior) forces
विशिष्टबलसमागमः:
TypeNoun
Rootगम् (समागम)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन; विशिष्टस्य बलस्य समागमः (विशिष्ट + बल; बल + समागम)
राज्ञाम्of kings
राज्ञाम्:
TypeNoun
Rootराजन्
Formपुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-बहुवचन
अन्यत्रexcept, otherwise than
अन्यत्र:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअन्यत्र
Formअव्यय; अपादान/विभागार्थे ‘except/otherwise than’
अरिविगृहीतात्from (a place/position) seized/occupied by the enemy
अरिविगृहीतात्:
TypeNoun (past passive participle used substantively)
Rootग्रह् (वि-ग्रह्)
Formपुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग-प्राय, पञ्चमी-एकवचन; अरिणा विगृहीत- (अरि + विगृहीत)
Entities Mentioned
A
ari (enemy)V
viśiṣṭabala (superior power)FAQs
Because it invites domination and dependency; the stronger ally can dictate terms, absorb resources, or neutralize the weaker king’s autonomy.