Sutra 5

Devanagari script

कर्कटकसधर्माणो हि जनकभक्षा राजपुत्राः ॥ कZ_०१.१७.०५ ॥

Transliteration

karkaṭakasadharmāṇo hi janakabhakṣā rājaputrāḥ

Translation

Car les princes royaux sont, par nature, comme des crabes—(ils peuvent devenir) des dévoreurs de leur propre père.

Word by Word

• कर्कटकसधर्माणः: having the nature/character of crabs (i.e., crab-like in conduct)
• Type: Noun (compound adjective)
• Root: धर्म
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-बहुवचन; (कर्कटकस्य धर्माः इव येषां ते) — बहुव्रीह्यर्थे विशेषणम्

• हि: indeed, for
• Type: Particle
• Root: हि
• Form: निपात; अव्यय; हेत्वर्थ/निश्चयार्थ-प्रयोगः

• जनकभक्षाः: feeders on the father/king (living off him as their food/support)
• Type: Noun (compound)
• Root: भक्ष
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-बहुवचन; (जनकस्य भक्षाः) — ‘जनक’ इति षष्ठीसम्बन्धः

• राजपुत्राः: princes (sons of the king)
• Type: Noun (compound)
• Root: पुत्र
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-बहुवचन; (राज्ञः पुत्राः)

Entities Mentioned

• rājaputra (prince)
• janaka (father/king)

More Details

FAQs

What does the crab metaphor communicate in administrative terms?

That succession incentives can override filial loyalty; therefore, governance must institutionalize safeguards against premature power grabs by heirs and their factions.