Sutra 31
Devanagari script
ततो वितर्क्योभयतो यतः श्रेयश् ततो व्रजेत् ॥ कZ_०७.७.३१च्द् ॥
Transliteration
tato vitarkyobhayato yataḥ śreyaś tato vrajet
Translation
Then, after reasoning from both sides, one should proceed toward that course from which the greater advantage results.
Word by Word
ततःthereafter; from that (point)
ततः:
TypePronoun/Adverb
Rootतद्
Formतद्-प्रातिपदिकस्य तस्मात्-आदिशब्दरूपम्; अव्यय (ablatival adverb) ‘therefrom/thereafter’
वितर्क्यhaving deliberated; after considering
वितर्क्य:
TypeVerbal derivative (Gerund/Absolutive)
Rootवि√तर्क्
Formक्त्वा-प्रत्ययार्थे ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund); ‘having deliberated/considered’
उभयतःfrom both sides; in both respects
उभयतः:
TypeIndeclinable (Adverb)
Rootउभय
Formअव्यय; ‘from both sides / in both ways / in both respects’
यतःfrom which; since; wherefrom
यतः:
TypePronoun/Conjunctional adverb
Rootयद्
Formयद्-प्रातिपदिकस्य यतस्-आदिरूपम्; अव्यय (relative/ablatival) ‘from which/whence; since’
श्रेयःthe better course; welfare; what is preferable
श्रेयः:
TypeNoun
Rootश्रेयस्
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; ‘the better/good; welfare’
ततःfrom that; therefore; thence
ततः:
TypePronoun/Adverb
Rootतद्
Formअव्यय (ablatival adverb) ‘from that (option/side)’
व्रजेत्he should proceed; he should adopt (that course)
व्रजेत्:
TypeVerb
Root√व्रज्
Formलोट्/विधिलिङ् (optative) परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष एकवचन; ‘should go/proceed’
Entities Mentioned
S
state decision-maker (implicit)FAQs
Evaluate both your and the opponent’s likely moves/outcomes (a two-sided strategic assessment), not just your preference.