Sutra 20

Devanagari script

सुप्रतिविहितयानवाहनपुरुषपरिवापः प्रतिष्ठेत ॥ कZ_०१.१६.०५ ॥

Transliteration

suprativihitayānavāhanapuruṣaparivāpaḥ pratiṣṭheta

Translation

He should present himself as well-equipped—properly arranged with conveyance, mounts/vehicles, attendants, and retinue—so as to be duly received and taken seriously.

Word by Word

• सुप्रतिविहित: well-arranged / properly provided
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि-धा (√धा)
• Form: विशेषणम्; प्रथमा-एकवचनम् (नपुंसकलिङ्गे) — समासपूर्वपदम्

• यान: vehicle / conveyance
• Type: Noun
• Root: या (√या)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचनम् (समाहार/जातिवाचक-प्रयोगः)

• वाहन: transport / mount / carriage
• Type: Noun
• Root: वह् (√वह्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचनम् (समाहार/जातिवाचक-प्रयोगः)

• पुरुष: man; attendant; personnel
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुष
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचनम् (समाहार/जातिवाचक-प्रयोगः)

• परिवापः: provisioning; supply (of rations etc.)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परि-√वप्
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचनम्

• प्रतिष्ठेत: should be established / should be arranged
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति-√स्था
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative); परस्मैपदम्; प्रथमपुरुषः; एकवचनम्

Entities Mentioned

• dūta
• retinue/attendants

More Details

FAQs

Why does Kautilya emphasize conveyance and attendants for an envoy?

They function as political signals of state capacity and seriousness, shaping the counterpart’s perception before any words are exchanged.

What modern concept aligns with this verse?

Strategic signaling and protocol-driven credibility in diplomacy.