Sutra 24

Devanagari script

अवश्यसैन्यं श्रेयः ॥ कZ_०७.९.२४ ॥

Transliteration

avaśyasainyaṃ śreyaḥ

Translation

An uncontrollable force is preferable (in this comparison).

Word by Word

• अवश्यसैन्यम्: a necessary (standing/regular) army
• Type: Noun (compound)
• Root: अवश्य + सैन्य
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा (विधेय/कर्तृपद-रूपेण)

• श्रेयः: is better / preferable
• Type: Noun (abstract)
• Root: श्रेयस्
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा; विधेय (predicate nominative)

Entities Mentioned

• army (sainya)

More Details

FAQs

This seems counterintuitive—how should it be read?

As a stated alternative position within a dilemma framework; the next sutra clarifies the operative reasoning by contrasting what can and cannot be brought under control.