Sutra 1

Devanagari script

स्वभूमिः पत्त्यश्वरथद्विपानामिष्टा युद्धे निवेशे च ॥ कZ_१०.४.०१ ॥

Transliteration

svabhūmiḥ pattyaśvarathadvipānām iṣṭā yuddhe niveśe ca

Translation

पायदळ, अश्वारूढ, रथ आणि हत्ती यांच्यासाठी—युद्धात आणि छावणी टाकण्यातही—स्वभूमीच अधिक योग्य असते.

Word by Word

• स्वभूमिः: one’s own territory/land
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूमि
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचन; समासः स्व(स्वकीय)-भूमिः

• पत्त्यश्वरथद्विपानाम्: of the infantry, cavalry, chariots, and elephants
• Type: Noun
• Root: पत्ति/अश्व/रथ/द्विप
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-बहुवचन; समासः पत्ति+अश्व+रथ+द्विप (चतुरङ्गबलस्य अङ्गानि)

• इष्टा: is desirable/advantageous
• Type: Participle/Adjective
• Root: इष् (इच्छा/सेवा)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त); ‘इष्ट’ = प्रिय/अनुकूल

• युद्धे: in battle
• Type: Noun
• Root: युध्
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी-एकवचन

• निवेशे: in encampment/camping (deployment)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निवेश
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी-एकवचन

• च: and
• Type: Particle
• Root: च
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक

Entities Mentioned

• infantry
• cavalry
• chariots
• elephants
• home territory

More Details

FAQs

Why is ‘svabhūmi’ preferred for all arms?

Home ground improves supply, reconnaissance, popular support, and coordination—raising combat effectiveness while reducing operational friction.

Does this imply Kautilya discourages expeditionary war?

Not necessarily; it highlights that risk and cost rise away from home, so campaigns must compensate with planning, alliances, or decisive objectives.