Sutra 16
Devanagari script
हस्तिप्रधानो हि परानीकवध इति ॥ कZ_०७.११.१६ ॥
Transliteration
hastipradhāno hi parānīkavadha iti
Translation
परानीकस्य वधः मुख्यतया हस्तिभिः साध्यते।
Word by Word
हस्ति-प्रधानःone in whom elephants are the chief (i.e., elephant-force is primary)
हस्ति-प्रधानः:
TypeAdjective (compound)
Rootहस्तिन्; प्रधान
Formपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; समासान्त-पद (प्रधान) विशेषणम्
हिindeed, for
हि:
TypeParticle
Rootहि
Formनिपातः; अवधान/हेतौ बलवत्तर-समर्थकः
पर-अनीक-वधःthe slaying/destruction of the enemy army
पर-अनीक-वधः:
TypeNoun (compound)
Rootपर; अनीक; वध
Formपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; ‘वध’ प्रधानः
इतिthus (so it is said)
इति:
TypeQuotative particle
Rootइति
Formइत्यादि-निर्देशकः; वाक्य-समाप्त्यर्थः
Entities Mentioned
E
elephants (hasti)E
enemy army (parānīka)FAQs
It acknowledges a military exception: despite lower scalability, elephants can be decisive in battle, so rulers may still prioritize elephant resources when seeking battlefield dominance.
General-purpose capacity (materials, reserves) versus specialized decisive capability (elephants) depending on threat environment and campaign goals.