Shloka 29
मृदु-तीक्ष्ण-नीति तथा दुष्टलक्षण-विज्ञानम्
Measured Policy and the Recognition of Malicious Disposition
Devanagari script
प्रणिपातं च गच्छेत काले शत्रोर्बलीयस: । युक्तो5स्य वधमन्विच्छेदप्रमत्त: प्रमाद्यत:
Translation
Bhīṣma said: “When the time favors a stronger enemy, the king should go and bow in submission before him. But when that enemy grows careless, the king—remaining vigilant and industrious—should seek the means to destroy him.”
Word by Word
praṇipātamprostration, submission
praṇipātam:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootpraṇipāta
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
caand
ca:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootca
gacchetshould go/should resort (to)
gacchet:
TypeVerb
Rootgam
FormOptative (Vidhi-liṅ), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada
kāleat the proper time
kāle:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootkāla
FormMasculine, Locative, Singular
śatroḥof the enemy
śatroḥ:
TypeNoun
Rootśatru
FormMasculine, Genitive, Singular
balīyasaḥof the stronger (one)
balīyasaḥ:
TypeAdjective
Rootbalīyas
FormMasculine, Genitive, Singular, Comparative
yuktaḥbeing vigilant/engaged, prepared
yuktaḥ:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootyukta
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
asyaof him/this (enemy)
asya:
TypeNoun
Rootidam (pronoun: asmad/etad-series)
FormMasculine/Neuter, Genitive, Singular
vadhamkilling, slaying
vadham:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootvadha
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
anvicchetshould seek, should look for
anvicchet:
TypeVerb
Rootanu + iṣ (icch)
FormOptative (Vidhi-liṅ), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada
apramattaḥnot careless, vigilant
apramattaḥ:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Roota-pramatta
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
pramādyataḥof (the enemy) being careless
pramādyataḥ:
TypeVerb
Rootpra + mad
FormPresent active participle (Śatṛ), Masculine, Genitive, Singular
yadiif
yadi:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootyadi
balavānstrong, powerful
balavān:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootbalavat
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
Speaker
भीष्म उवाच
Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes