Sutra 5

Devanagari script

सर्वतो वनाजीवः प्रसारः ॥ कZ_१०.२.०५ ॥

Transliteration

sarvato vanājīvaḥ prasāraḥ

Translation

四面都应有在林中活动的部队（林民/斥候）作屏障式的展开。

Word by Word

• सर्वतः: from all sides; entirely; in every direction
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्व
• Form: अव्यय; तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त (ablatival adverb) = 'from all sides/entirely'

• वनाजीवः: one whose livelihood is from the forest; forest-subsistence (person/means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जीव्
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचन; 'वनस्य आजीवः' (वन-आजीव)

• प्रसारः: spreading; extension; expansion
• Type: Noun
• Root: सृ
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचन; भाववाचक संज्ञा (प्र-√सृ + घञ्)

Entities Mentioned

• vanājīva (forest scouts/irregulars)

More Details

FAQs

What role do 'vanājīva' play in Kautilya’s march doctrine?

They provide all-round reconnaissance and early warning in complex terrain, reducing surprise and protecting the main body.