Sutra 9
Devanagari script
तद्विशिष्टं तु राजानमाश्रितो दुर्गमविषह्यं वा चेष्टेत ॥ कZ_१२.१.०९ ॥
Transliteration
tadviśiṣṭaṃ tu rājānamāśrito durgamaviṣahyaṃ vā ceṣṭeta
Translation
Ainsi, en se plaçant sous la protection d’un roi supérieur, il doit agir—ou bien opérer depuis une forteresse difficile à réduire.
Word by Word
तद्विशिष्टम्one distinguished by that (i.e., possessing that distinguishing feature)
तद्विशिष्टम्:
TypeAdjective (used substantively)
Rootविशिष् (वि+शिष्)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा/द्वितीया; ‘तद्’ (तस्य/तत्) + ‘विशिष्ट’ (कृदन्त, क्त) = ‘तद्विशिष्टम्’
तुbut; however
तु:
TypeParticle
Rootतु
Formअव्यय; विरोध/विशेषार्थे
राजानम्the king
राजानम्:
TypeNoun
Rootराजन्
Formपुंलिङ्ग, एकवचन, द्वितीया
आश्रितःhaving resorted to / having taken refuge with
आश्रितः:
TypeParticiple (verbal adjective)
Rootश्रि (आ+श्रि)
Formकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा; कर्तरि प्रयोगे ‘having taken refuge/attached oneself’
दुर्गम्a fort; stronghold
दुर्गम्:
TypeNoun
Rootदुर्ग
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, द्वितीया
अविषह्यम्unassailable; impossible to overcome/endure
अविषह्यम्:
TypeAdjective
Rootसह् (वि+सह्)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, द्वितीया; ‘अ-’ नञ् + ‘विषह्य’ (यत्/ण्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त: ‘to be endured/overcome’)
वाor
वा:
TypeParticle
Rootवा
Formअव्यय; विकल्पार्थे
चेष्टेतshould act; should attempt/endeavour
चेष्टेत:
TypeVerb
Rootचेष्ट्
Formलिङ् (विधिलिङ्), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद-समर्थ धातु, अत्र आत्मनेपदप्रयोगः; अर्थः ‘should act/endeavour’
Entities Mentioned
R
rājā (superior king)FAQs
Two classic hedges: (1) align under a stronger protector to deter attack, or (2) shift to fortress-based defense to raise attacker costs and buy time.
Investment in fort logistics—stores, garrisoning, supply lines, and local support—so that defense is sustainable, not merely symbolic.