Sutra 18
Devanagari script
भिन्नकूटान्धयोर्भिन्नकूटमन्याधिष्ठितं युध्येत नान्धमदेशिकं इति ॥ कZ_०८.५.१८ ॥
Transliteration
bhinnakūṭāndhayor bhinnakūṭam anyādhiṣṭhitaṃ yudhyeta nāndham adeśikaṃ iti
Translation
Between a force with divided command (split leadership) and a blind/unguided force, one should fight the force with divided command—if it is directed by another leader; one should not fight the blind force that lacks guidance (a proper guide/commander).
Word by Word
भिन्नकूटयोःof two (persons) with a split/false formation (i.e., with broken/irregular battle-array)
भिन्नकूटयोः:
TypeNoun
Rootभिन्नकूट
Formषष्ठी-द्विवचन (genitive dual); पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (प्रयोगे अनिश्चित)
अन्धयोःof two blind (persons)
अन्धयोः:
TypeNoun
Rootअन्ध
Formषष्ठी-द्विवचन (genitive dual); पुंलिङ्ग
भिन्नकूटम्a split/false formation (battle-array)
भिन्नकूटम्:
TypeNoun
Rootभिन्नकूट
Formद्वितीया-एकवचन (accusative singular); पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (प्रयोगे अनिश्चित)
अन्यanother (person/commander)
अन्य:
TypePronoun/Adjective
Rootअन्य
Formप्रथमा-एकवचन (nominative singular); पुंलिङ्ग (विशेषणरूपे)
अधिष्ठितम्commanded/led (by)
अधिष्ठितम्:
TypeParticiple
Rootअधि-स्था
Formभूतकृदन्त (क्त); द्वितीया-एकवचन (accusative singular); नपुंसकलिङ्ग—‘भिन्नकूटम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्
युध्येतshould fight
युध्येत:
TypeVerb
Rootयुध्
Formविधिलिङ् (optative), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन
नnot
न:
TypeParticle
Rootन
Formनिषेध (negation)
अन्धम्a blind (person)
अन्धम्:
TypeNoun
Rootअन्ध
Formद्वितीया-एकवचन (accusative singular); पुंलिङ्ग
अदेशिकम्unguided; without a guide/teacher
अदेशिकम्:
TypeAdjective
Rootअ-देशिक
Formद्वितीया-एकवचन (accusative singular); पुंलिङ्ग—‘अन्धम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्
इतिthus (it is said)
इति:
TypeQuotative particle
Rootइति
Formउद्धरण/निगमनार्थक अव्यय
Entities Mentioned
K
kingE
enemy commanderFAQs
An unguided force can act erratically, ignore deterrence, and generate uncontrolled escalation—harder to manage through strategy or negotiation.