Sutra 19
Devanagari script
नागत्वान्तं निवर्तेत स्थिता सत्त्ववतां धृतौ ॥ कZ_०१.१०.१९च्द् ॥
Transliteration
nāgatvāntaṃ nivarteta sthitā sattvavatāṃ dhṛtau
Translation
On ne revient pas en arrière de l’état ultime auquel on est parvenu ; la constance des courageux/vertueux demeure ferme.
Word by Word
नागत्वान्तम्the end/limit of ‘elephant-hood’ (i.e., the extreme point of elephant-like strength/condition)
नागत्वान्तम्:
TypeNoun (compound)
Rootनागत्व + अन्त
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, द्वितीया; समासान्त-रूपम् (अन्त)
निवर्तेतshould withdraw/turn back
निवर्तेत:
TypeVerb
Rootवृत् (निवृत्)
Formलिङ् (विधिलिङ्), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद-रूपं न, ‘he should turn back/withdraw’
स्थिताःstanding firm; remaining
स्थिताः:
TypeParticiple (verbal adjective)
Rootस्था
Formकृदन्त (क्त), प्रथमा बहुवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग (सामान्यतः); ‘standing/remaining’
सत्त्ववताम्of the courageous/spirited persons
सत्त्ववताम्:
TypeNoun/Adjective
Rootसत्त्ववत्
Formषष्ठी बहुवचन; ‘of the courageous/possessing sत्त्व (spirit, courage)’
धृतौin fortitude/steadfastness
धृतौ:
TypeNoun
Rootधृति
Formसप्तमी एकवचन, स्त्रीलिङ्ग; ‘in steadfastness/fortitude’
Entities Mentioned
P
persons of character (sattvavat)C
corrupted vs steadfast (implied contrast)FAQs
It suggests character tends to persist: the reliable remain reliable, while those who have moved into corruption may not revert—hence selection and early testing are critical.