Sutra 55

Devanagari script

निरन्तरयोगित्वाच्चार्थानर्थसंशयानां यात्रादावर्थः श्रेयानुपसम्प्राप्तुं पार्ष्णिग्राहासारप्रतिघाते क्षयव्ययप्रवासप्रत्यादेये मूलरक्षणेषु च भवति ॥ कZ_०९.७.५५ ॥

Transliteration

nirantarayogitvāc cārthānartha-saṃśayānāṃ yātrādāv arthaḥ śreyān upasamprāptuṃ pārṣṇigrāha-asāra-pratighāte kṣaya-vyaya-pravāsa-pratyādeye mūla-rakṣaṇeṣu ca bhavati.

Translation

Vì lợi ích, tổn hại và sự bất định luôn đan xen liên tục, nên tốt hơn là phải bảo đảm lợi thế ngay từ lúc khởi đầu chiến dịch—để đối phó kẻ đánh từ phía sau và lực lượng không đáng tin, ngăn tổn thất, chi tiêu quá mức và việc vắng mặt kéo dài, tạo điều kiện thu hồi/quay về, và bảo vệ gốc rễ (các nền tảng cốt lõi) của quốc gia.

Word by Word

निरन्तरयोगित्वात्because of continuous application/engagement

चand

अर्थानर्थसंशयानाम्of (matters involving) gain, loss, and doubt/uncertainty

यात्रादौin expeditions/marches and the like

अर्थःthe (proper) course/benefit (i.e., what is advantageous)

श्रेयःthe better (option)

अनुपसम्प्राप्तुम्to attain/obtain (accordingly, step by step)

पार्ष्णिग्राहासारप्रतिघातेin repulsing the rear-enemy and in striking at the weak point (of the enemy)

क्षयव्ययप्रवासप्रत्यादेयेin situations of loss, expenditure, absence (being away), and (what is) to be recovered/recouped

मूलरक्षणेषुin the protection of the principal resources/capital

चand

भवतिis/comes to be (is applicable)

Entities Mentioned

pārṣṇigrāha

mūla (state roots)

FAQs

Why does Kautilya stress gaining advantage at the start of a campaign?

Early advantage reduces cascading risks: rear attacks, unreliable allies/forces, losses and overspending, prolonged absence, and threats to core state assets at home.

What is ‘mūla-rakṣaṇa’ in administrative terms?

Protection of the state’s foundations—capital security, treasury/revenue base, supply lines, and political stability in the rear.