पराजय
English meaning: defeat, loss
Definition
Military or competitive defeat, the opposite of vijaya. In political philosophy, parājaya of the weak king before a stronger adversary may be preferable to reckless battle, and strategic retreat is considered a valid policy option.
Example
“पराजयात् पलायनं वरम्।”
In English: “Flight from defeat is preferable (to senseless death).”
Another example: “पराजयेऽपि वीरः न विषीदति।”
Usage — When, Where & How
Classical register, paired antonym of vijaya; used in warfare, statecraft, and competitive contexts. Common in narrative and political theory describing the fall of a king or contestant.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From the prefix parā- ('away, back') with the root √ji ('to conquer'), literally 'conquered back', hence defeat.
Related Words
Common Collocations
- पराजयभय
- रणपराजय
- पराजितशत्रु
- पराजयग्लानि
- अपराजय
Word Forms
m., a-stem; nom. पराजयः, acc. पराजयम्, instr. पराजयेन, gen. पराजयस्य
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“परोपकाराय फलन्ति वृक्षाः, परोपकाराय वहन्ति नद्यः।”
/Paropakārāya phalanti vṛkṣāḥ, paropakārāya vahanti nadyaḥ./
“Trees bear fruit for others' benefit; rivers flow for others' use.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- संस्कृतम्
- Sanskrit
- Script
- Devanagari
- Family
- Indo-Aryan
- Speakers
- 5M