Sutra 5

Devanagari script

स्थूलस्थाण्वश्मवृक्षव्रततीवल्मीकगुल्मा पदातिभूमिः ॥ कZ_१०.४.०५ ॥

Transliteration

sthūlasthāṇv aśmavṛkṣavratatīvalmīkagulmā padātibhūmiḥ

Translation

پیادہ فوج کے لیے زمین وہ ہے جس میں بڑے ٹھونٹھ، پتھر، درخت، باڑ/جھاڑ جھنکار، دیمک کے ٹیلے اور جھاڑیاں ہوں۔

Word by Word

• स्थूल: large, thick
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्थूल
• Form: प्रातिपदिक; पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-एकवचन (समासाङ्गम्)

• स्थाणु: stump, post; (also) immovable object
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थाणु
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचन (समासाङ्गम्)

• अश्म: stone, rock
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्मन्
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचन (समासाङ्गम्)

• वृक्ष: tree
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृक्ष
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचन (समासाङ्गम्)

• व्रतति: a line/row (esp. a barrier-like row)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रतति
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचन (समासाङ्गम्)

• वल्मीक: anthill, termite mound
• Type: Noun
• Root: वल्मीक
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचन (समासाङ्गम्)

• गुल्मा: bush-clumps, thickets
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुल्म
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-बहुवचन (समासाङ्गम्)

• पदाति: infantry, foot-soldier
• Type: Noun
• Root: पदाति
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; (समासाङ्गम्) ‘पदाति-’ = foot-soldier/infantry

• भूमिः: ground/terrain suitable for infantry
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूमि
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचन; समस्तपदम्; ‘पदातिभूमिः’ = पदातीनां (गमन/युद्धोपयोग्या) भूमिः

Entities Mentioned

• infantry

More Details

FAQs

Why is obstructed terrain considered suitable for infantry?

Obstacles provide cover, break enemy formations, and reduce the effectiveness of mounted and wheeled arms—shifting advantage to foot soldiers.

What is the combined-arms implication across 10.4.03–10.4.05?

Choose battlefields to favor your strongest arm and to negate the opponent’s mobility arm; terrain selection is a deliberate instrument of policy and command.