Sutra 11
Devanagari script
वश्यमनित्यं श्रेयः ॥ कZ_०७.९.११ ॥
Transliteration
vaśyam anityaṃ śreyaḥ
Translation
A temporary but controllable ally is preferable.
Word by Word
वश्यम्(that which is) controllable / manageable
वश्यम्:
TypeAdjective (used substantively)
Rootवश
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा/द्वितीया; वश्य- (वश + यत्) ‘वश में होने योग्य/वशवर्ती’
अनित्यम्impermanent / not lasting
अनित्यम्:
TypeAdjective (used substantively)
Rootनित्य
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा/द्वितीया; न-नित्य (नञ्-तत्पुरुष) ‘अस्थिर/क्षणभङ्गुर’
श्रेयःthe better (course) / what is beneficial
श्रेयः:
TypeNoun (comparative/abstract)
Rootश्रि
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा/द्वितीया; श्रेयस्- (श्रि धातोः; ‘श्रेष्ठतरं हितम्’)
FAQs
Here controllability is prioritized over permanence, implying that a manageable ally can be more useful for immediate objectives even if the bond will not last.