Sutra 9
Devanagari script
चलामित्राद्भूमिलाभे शक्यसामन्ततो विशेषः ॥ कZ_०७.१०.०९ ॥
Transliteration
calāmitrādbhūmilābhe śakyasāmantato viśeṣaḥ
Translation
When land is gained from an unreliable ally, there is a strategic advantage over the manageable/controllable neighboring ruler (śakya-sāmanta).
Word by Word
चलाunstable, fickle
चला:
TypeAdjective
Rootचल (गत्यर्थक धातु)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन; विशेषण (भूमेः)
मित्रात्from an ally
मित्रात्:
TypeNoun
Rootमित्र
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग; पञ्चमी एकवचन (अपादान)
भूमि-लाभेin the acquisition of land/territory
भूमि-लाभे:
TypeNoun
Rootलाभ (√लभ्)
Formपुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी एकवचन; ‘भूमेः लाभः’ इति—अधिकरण (स्थितौ/प्रसङ्गे)
शक्यfeasible, possible
शक्य:
TypeAdjective (verbal derivative)
Root√शक्
Formपुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन; कृदन्त-विशेषण (शक्य = साध्य/सम्भव)
सामन्ततःfrom/with respect to the neighboring (feudatory) ruler
सामन्ततः:
TypeAdverb (ablatival)
Rootसामन्त
Formतसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय; अर्थः ‘सामन्तात्/सामन्त-पक्षात्’
विशेषःa distinction; a special (consideration)
विशेषः:
TypeNoun
Rootविशेष
Formपुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन; कर्तृ/विधेय-भाव (अस्ति इति लुप्त-क्रिया)
Entities Mentioned
C
cala-mitra (fickle ally)S
sāmanta (neighboring ruler)FAQs
It improves strategic depth and bargaining position, allowing tighter control or pressure over adjacent, more manageable neighbor-states.
Alliances are contingent; territorial positioning can be more reliable than promises, especially with unstable partners.