Sutra 49
Devanagari script
अपि जीयेत न जयेन्मण्डलेष्टस्तथा भवेत् ॥ कZ_०७.५.४९च्द् ॥
Transliteration
api jīyeta na jayen maṇḍaleṣṭas tathā bhavet
Translation
Il vaut mieux accepter d’être vaincu plutôt que de vaincre d’une manière qui rende hostile tout le cercle des États.
Word by Word
अपिeven; even if; although
अपि:
TypeParticle
Rootअपि
Formअव्यय; समुच्चय/सम्भावना/अपवादार्थक-निपात (context: concessive 'even if')
जीयेतshould be conquered / may be defeated
जीयेत:
TypeVerb
Rootजि
Formलिङ् (विधिलिङ्), परस्मैपद; 3rd person singular; आत्मनेपद-न; धातु: जि (जयति)
नnot
न:
TypeNegation
Rootन
Formनिषेधार्थक-अव्यय
जयेत्should conquer / should win
जयेत्:
TypeVerb
Rootजि
Formलिङ् (विधिलिङ्), परस्मैपद; 3rd person singular; धातु: जि
मण्डलेष्टःthe one who desires the mandala (circle of states/realm); an expansion-seeking king
मण्डलेष्टः:
TypeNoun (compound adjective)
Rootमण्डल + इष् (इच्छा)
Formपुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन; समास: मण्डलस्य इष्टः = 'one who desires the circle/realm'; adjective used substantively
तथाthus; in that manner
तथा:
TypeAdverb
Rootतथा
Formअव्यय; प्रकार/तुल्यतार्थक
भवेत्should be; would become
भवेत्:
TypeVerb
Rootभू
Formलिङ् (विधिलिङ्), परस्मैपद; 3rd person singular; धातु: भू
Entities Mentioned
V
vijigīṣu (implied conqueror-king)M
maṇḍala (circle of states)FAQs
A tactical victory that triggers systemic hostility is strategically worse than a controlled setback; preserve long-term position in the maṇḍala over short-term conquest.
It anticipates balance-of-power dynamics: aggressive gains can induce counter-coalitions; restraint can prevent encirclement.