Arthashastra 7.13.29: Shadgunya, Adhyaya 13, Sutra 29

Devanagari script

पार्ष्णिग्रहणाभियानयोस्तु मन्त्रयुद्धादभ्युच्चयः ॥ कZ_०७.१३.२९ ॥

Recitation with translationArthashastra 7.13.29

Transliteration

pārṣṇigrahaṇābhiyānayostu mantrayuddhād abhyuccayaḥ

Translation

जब पीछे से दुश्मन आए या फौज ले के निकलो, तो सीधा लड़ने से बेटर है प्लानिंग से काम लो। सोच समझ के चलना ज़्यादा फायदेमंद है।

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Word by Word

• पार्ष्णिग्रहण: rear-seizure / ‘heel-grabbing’ operation (a tactical move against the enemy’s rear)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्ष्णि + ग्रहण (√ग्रह्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (समासपद; -योः इत्यनेन षष्ठी-द्विवचनसम्बन्धः)

• अभियानयोः: of the (two) campaigns/expeditions
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभि + √या (अभियान)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; षष्ठी द्विवचन (पार्ष्णिग्रहणाभियानयोः = ‘of (the two) … and …’)

• तु: but; however (marking contrast/special point)
• Type: Particle
• Root: तु
• Form: निपात; विरोध/विशेषार्थक

• मन्त्रयुद्धात्: from/than ‘counsel-strategy warfare’ (strategy/diplomacy-based contest)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र + युद्ध
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; पञ्चमी एकवचन (अपादान/तुलनार्थक: ‘than/from …’)

• अभ्युच्चयः: superiority; greater advantage; preponderance
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभि + उद् + √चि (चय) / (अभ्युच्चय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन (विधेय/प्रधानपदम्)

Entities Mentioned

• pārṣṇigrāha (rear-enemy)
• vijigīṣu (would-be conqueror, implied)

More Details

FAQs

What is the administrative intent of preferring mantrayuddha here?

To reduce fiscal and manpower depletion while achieving security goals (rear protection and expedition success) through policy tools—alliances, inducements, deception, intelligence, and timed moves.