Sutra 9

Devanagari script

अशक्ये दण्डोपनतवद्वर्तेत ॥ कZ_०७.२.०९ ॥

Transliteration

aśakye daṇḍopanatavad varteta

Translation

When action is not feasible, one should conduct oneself like a person subdued by punishment.

Word by Word

• अशक्ये: in (a situation that is) impossible / when it is not feasible
• Type: Adjective (used substantively)
• Root: शक्
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे सप्तमी एकवचनम्; नञ्-पूर्वकः शक्य-शब्दः (अ-शक्य)

• दण्डोपनतवत्: like one who has submitted under punishment/coercion
• Type: Adverb (comparative in -वत्)
• Root: दण्ड + उपनत
• Form: दण्डस्य उपनतः इव = दण्डोपनत; तद्वत् (वत्-प्रत्ययेन अव्ययीभाववत् प्रयोगः)

• वर्तेत: should behave / should conduct oneself
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृत् (वर्तते)
• Form: लिङ् (विधिलिङ्), आत्मनेपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; परस्मैपद-समर्थेऽपि आत्मनेपदप्रयोगः (वर्तते)

Entities Mentioned

• daṇḍa (coercive power)

More Details

FAQs

Is this advocating permanent surrender?

No. It is tactical compliance when resistance is infeasible—aimed at preserving life and capacity until conditions change.