Sutra 19

Devanagari script

कृतार्थश्च शत्रुर्वैगुण्यमेति ॥ कZ_०७.८.१९ ॥

Transliteration

kṛtārthaś ca śatrur vaiguṇyam eti

Translation

And an enemy, once his objective is achieved, lapses into unreliability/defectiveness.

Word by Word

• कृतार्थः: one who has accomplished his aim; successful
• Type: Adjective (past participle used as noun/adjective)
• Root: कृ
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (कृत) + अर्थ (noun) समास; विशेषणम्

• च: and
• Type: Particle (conjunction)
• Root: च
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्ययम्

• शत्रुः: the enemy
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत्रु
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन

• वैगुण्यम्: defect; deterioration; weakness
• Type: Noun (abstract)
• Root: वि + गुण
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-एकवचन (क्रियाविशेष्य/कर्म)

• एति: goes to; falls into; comes to
• Type: Verb
• Root: इ
• Form: लट्-लकार, परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Entities Mentioned

• śatru (enemy)

More Details

FAQs

What modern political-science idea aligns with this sutra?

The credible-commitment problem: an adversary’s promises are least reliable once they have secured their immediate goals.

What policy implication follows?

Do not structure security around an enemy’s assurances; lock cooperation (if any) with enforceable leverage, timelines, and exit options.