Sutra 44

Devanagari script

पुरोहितपुरुषाः कृत्याभिचारं ब्रूयुः यन्त्रिकवर्धकिमौहूर्तिकाः स्वकर्मसिद्धिमसिद्धिं परेषाम् ॥ कZ_१०.३.४४ ॥

Transliteration

purohitapuruṣāḥ kṛtyābhicāraṃ brūyuḥ yantrikavardhakimauhūrtikāḥ svakarmasiddhim asiddhiṃ pareṣām

Translation

Le chapelain du roi et ses hommes doivent parler des rites et des contre-rites ; les ingénieurs et ceux qui renforcent/boostent, ainsi que les astrologues, doivent proclamer la réussite de ses propres opérations et l’échec de l’ennemi.

Word by Word

पुरोहितपुरुषाःthe royal priest(s) and the king’s officers/agents

कृत्याभिचारम्witchcraft and sorcery (harmful magical operations)

ब्रूयुःshould declare/allege

यन्त्रिकmechanicians; experts in devices/contrivances

वर्धकिcarpenters

मौहूर्तिकाःastrologers; time-choosers (muhūrta specialists)

स्वकर्मसिद्धिम्the success of their own operation/work

असिद्धिम्failure (non-accomplishment)

परेषाम्of others (of rivals/others)

Entities Mentioned

purohita

yantrika

mauhūrtika

FAQs

Is this verse about superstition or administration?

It is administrative: Kautilya treats ritual specialists, engineers, and astrologers as instruments for coordinated messaging—boosting troop confidence and projecting enemy futility.

Why pair engineers with astrologers in announcements?

To link tangible capability (machines/fortification) with perceived auspicious timing—combining material readiness and psychological assurance.