Sutra 5

Devanagari script

एतया मुण्डा वृषल्यो व्याख्याताः । इति संचाराः ॥ कZ_०१.१२.०५ ॥

Transliteration

etayā muṇḍā vṛṣalyo vyākhyātāḥ | iti saṃcārāḥ

Translation

By this same method, shaven-headed women and low-caste women are also explained (as usable agents). Thus are the modes of movement/communication (saṃcāra) set out.

Word by Word

• एतया: by/with this (rule/statement)
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: एतद्
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; तृतीया-एकवचन (करणे/हेतौ)

• मुण्डाः: the Muṇḍā women (a specified group)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुण्डा
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-बहुवचन

• वृषल्यः: Vṛṣalī women (women of low caste/status)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृषली
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-बहुवचन

• व्याख्याताः: have been explained/defined
• Type: Verb (past passive participle)
• Root: वि-आ-ख्या
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त); प्रथमा-बहुवचन; पुंलिङ्ग (or gender-agreeing participle used predicatively); कर्मणि-भावः; ‘explained/defined’

• इति: thus; so (marking the end of the statement)
• Type: Particle/Quotative
• Root: इति
• Form: निपात; उद्धरण-समाप्ति/इत्यर्थे

• संचाराः: movements/going about; (regulated) roaming/traffic
• Type: Noun
• Root: संचार
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-बहुवचन

Entities Mentioned

• muṇḍā
• vṛṣalyāḥ
• saṃcāra

More Details

FAQs

What does ‘etayā…vyākhyātāḥ’ indicate about Kautilya’s method?

It is modular: once a workable infiltration template is defined, it is replicated across multiple cover identities suited to different environments.

Why emphasize marginal identities in intelligence work?

They can move with less scrutiny and can enter spaces where elite males cannot, improving reach and deniability.