Sutra 11

Devanagari script

तावन्तः पादगोपा वाजिरथद्विपानां विधेयाः ॥ कZ_१०.५.११ ॥

Transliteration

tāvantaḥ pādagopā vājirathadvipānāṃ vidheyāḥ

Translation

馬・戦車・象には、同数の徒歩護衛（pādagopā）を配属すべきである。

Word by Word

• तावन्तः: so many; as many (as stated/required)
• Type: Pronoun/Adjective
• Root: तावत्
• Form: सर्वनाम-विशेषण; पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्; ‘एतावन्तः/तावन्तः’ = ‘इतने’

• पाद-गोपाः: foot-guards; guards on foot (infantry guards)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोप
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्; पादस्य गोपाः = ‘पाद-रक्षकाः/पदाति-रक्षकाः’

• वाजि-रथ-द्विपानाम्: of horses, chariots, and elephants
• Type: Noun (compound)
• Root: वाजि / रथ / द्विप
• Form: षष्ठी बहुवचनम्; वाजीनां च रथानां च द्विपानां च = ‘horses, chariots, and elephants (of)’

• विधेयाः: are to be appointed/assigned (as prescribed)
• Type: Verb (verbal adjective)
• Root: धा (वि + धा)
• Form: कृदन्त (विधेय = विधातव्य/नियोज्य); पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्; भावे/कर्तरि प्रयोगः—‘to be appointed/assigned/regulated’

Entities Mentioned

• pādagopā (foot-guards)
• cavalry
• chariots
• elephants

More Details

FAQs

What is a ‘pādagopa’ in functional terms?

A dedicated infantry screen/guard tasked with protecting and stabilizing high-value mobile arms during movement and engagement.

Why specify ‘the same number’?

To tie protection strength directly to platform strength, preventing commanders from stripping guards and exposing key assets.