Sutra 20

Devanagari script

लघुसमुत्थमल्पं श्रेयः ॥ कZ_०७.९.२० ॥

Transliteration

laghusamuttham alpam śreyaḥ

Translation

A small ally arising from a weak base is preferable (in this comparison).

Word by Word

• लघु-समुत्थम्: arising from a small (effort/cost); easily obtained with little expenditure
• Type: Adjective (Kṛdanta)
• Root: सम्-उत्था (उत्था)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम्; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (समुत्थ) विशेषणम्; ‘लघु’ इति पूर्वपदं विशेषणम्

• अल्पम्: small; little; limited
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अल्प
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम्; विशेषणरूपेण (श्रेयः इत्यस्य)

• श्रेयः: the better (course); welfare; advantage
• Type: Noun (abstract)
• Root: श्रेयस्
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम्; ‘श्रेयस्’ (comparative/benefit)

Entities Mentioned

• small ally

More Details

FAQs

Why might a weaker, smaller ally be judged preferable in some contexts?

Because it is easier to influence, less likely to dominate decision-making, and less capable of coercing the recipient later.