Sutra 59

Devanagari script

गृहीतो वा सामादिभिरनुपातमतिसंदध्यात् रसविद्धेन वा पथ्यदनेन ॥ कZ_०७.१७.५९ ॥

Transliteration

gṛhīto vā sāmādibhir anupātam atisaṃdadhyāt rasaviddhena vā pathyadanena

Translation

Wird er ergriffen, soll er durch Beschwichtigung und die anderen Mittel (sāma usw.) eine Gelegenheit zur Flucht aushecken; oder er soll mittels eines „zuträglichen“ Speiseangebots handeln, das vergiftet wurde.

Word by Word

• गृहीतः: (one who is) seized/captured/arrested
• Type: Verb (PPP used adjectivally)
• Root: ग्रह्
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त, past passive participle); प्रथमा-एकवचन; पुल्लिङ्ग

• वा: or
• Type: Particle
• Root: वा
• Form: विकल्पार्थक अव्यय

• सामादिभिः: by the means beginning with conciliation (i.e., the four expedients: conciliation, gifts, dissension, force/punishment)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सामन्/आदि
• Form: तृतीया-बहुवचन; नपुंसकलिङ्ग (सामादि-शब्दः समाहारवाचकः)

• अनुपातम्: in due proportion; appropriately
• Type: Noun (used adverbially)
• Root: अनुपात
• Form: द्वितीया-एकवचन; पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (प्रयोगे क्रियाविशेषणवत्)

• अतिसंदध्यात्: should thoroughly arrange/settle (the matter); should apply (them) with extra care
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-धा (संधा)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative); परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष; एकवचन; उपसर्गः: अति- + सम्-; धातु: धा

• रसविद्धेन: with (food) tainted/impregnated with poison
• Type: Noun/Adjective (instrumental)
• Root: रस + विद्ध (√व्यध्)
• Form: तृतीया-एकवचन; नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (विद्ध = क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त, ‘pierced/tainted’); समासे ‘रसविद्ध’ = रसैः विद्धः

• वा: or
• Type: Particle
• Root: वा
• Form: विकल्पार्थक अव्यय

• पथ्यादनेन: by means of wholesome food/diet (as the medium)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पथ्य + अदन
• Form: तृतीया-एकवचन; नपुंसकलिङ्ग; ‘अदन’ = भोजन/आहार (eating/food)

Entities Mentioned

• captor/guards (implied)
• poison
• upāyas (sāma etc.)

More Details

FAQs

How are the four upāyas applied here in a micro-tactical setting?

They are repurposed as interpersonal and situational tools—persuasion, inducement, sowing division, or force—to create a moment to flee or neutralize restraint.

Why mention poisoned 'wholesome' food?

Because the most effective deception uses expected, non-suspicious channels (routine food), lowering the target’s guard.