Book 9 situates the Vijigīṣu not merely as a battlefield commander but as a systems-engineer of victory. In 9.6 (sūtras 31–45), Kautilya prescribes a layered covert choreography to weaken the enemy’s ‘head’ (mukhya) and thereby paralyze the remaining limbs. The method proceeds through controlled commerce and reputation (paṇya framed as ‘enemy-given’), staged accusations, and the calibrated use of lethal instruments (śastra, rasa, agni). A key feature is the use of double-paid agents (ubhaya-vetana) and the deliberate management of surrender/defection narratives (āptabhāva) to convert enemy insiders into vectors of distrust. The strategic objective is not random violence but command-disruption: killing or discrediting one principal, then sequentially testing and isolating others, and finally striking the skandhāvāra or fomenting mutual assassination plots. Within the Saptāṅga, this strengthens the Vijigīṣu’s Amātya-limb (intelligence-executive capacity) to protect the Sena-limb by making victory cheaper, faster, and politically survivable.
Sutra 1
दूष्येभ्यः शत्रुभ्यश्च द्विविधा शुद्धा ॥ कZ_०९.६.०१ ॥
“Śuddhi” (clearing/purification of the polity) is of two kinds: from internal corruptors/subversives and from external enemies.
Sutra 2
दूष्यशुद्धायां पौरेषु जानपदेषु वा दण्डवर्जानुपायान्प्रयुञ्जीत ॥ कZ_०९.६.०२ ॥
For cleansing out internal corruptors—whether among townsmen or in the countryside—he should employ measures excluding punishment (i.e., non-coercive/low-coercion means).
Sutra 3
दण्डो हि महाजने क्षेप्तुमशक्यः ॥ कZ_०९.६.०३ ॥
Punitive force (daṇḍa) cannot be indiscriminately ‘thrown’ upon the mass of people.
Sutra 4
क्षिप्तो वा तं चार्थं न कुर्यात् अन्यं चानर्थमुत्पादयेत् ॥ कZ_०९.६.०४ ॥
If (punishment) is cast blindly, it will not accomplish the intended objective and will instead generate a new harm.
Sutra 5
मुख्येषु त्वेषां दाण्डकर्मिकवच्चेष्टेत ॥ कZ_०९.६.०५ ॥
Instead, he should proceed against their leaders, acting as one who administers punishment (with focused penal action).
Sutra 6
शत्रुशुद्धायां यतः शत्रुः प्रधानः कार्यो वा ततः सामादिभिः सिद्धिं लिप्सेत ॥ कZ_०९.६.०६ ॥
In a ‘cleansing of enemies’ operation, since the enemy (or the key task) is primary, he should seek success through conciliation and the other means (sāma, etc.).
Sutra 7
स्वामिन्यायत्ता प्रधानसिद्धिः मन्त्रिष्वायत्तायत्तसिद्धिः उभयायत्ता प्रधानायत्तसिद्धिः ॥ कZ_०९.६.०७ ॥
If dependent on the ruler, success depends on the ruler; if dependent on ministers, success depends on those on whom they depend; if dependent on both, success depends on the principal (key) dependency.
Sutra 8
दूष्यादूष्याणामामिश्रितत्वादामिश्रा ॥ कZ_०९.६.०८ ॥
It is called ‘āmiśrā’ because the corruptible and the incorruptible are mixed together.
Sutra 9
आमिश्रायामदूष्यतः सिद्धिः ॥ कZ_०९.६.०९ ॥
In an āmiśrā (mixed) situation, success is achieved through the incorruptible (adūṣya) element.
Sutra 10
आलम्बनाभावे ह्यालम्बिता न विद्यन्ते ॥ कZ_०९.६.१० ॥
When there is no supporting base (ālambana), there are no dependents/attachments to hold onto.
Sutra 11
मित्रामित्राणामेकीभावात्परमिश्रा ॥ कZ_०९.६.११ ॥
It is called ‘paramiśrā’ because friends and enemies have become fused into one body (indistinguishable).
Sutra 12
परमिश्रायां मित्रतः सिद्धिः ॥ कZ_०९.६.१२ ॥
In a paramiśrā (thoroughly mixed) situation, success is achieved through the ally (mitra) side.
Sutra 13
सुकरो हि मित्रेण संधिः नामित्रेणेति ॥ कZ_०९.६.१३ ॥
An agreement (saṃdhi) is indeed easy with a friend; not so with an enemy.
Sutra 14
मित्रं चेन्न संधिमिच्छेदभीक्ष्णमुपजपेत् ॥ कZ_०९.६.१४ ॥
If a friend does not wish to enter into an agreement, he should be persistently cultivated and persuaded (through continued approaches).
Sutra 15
ततः सत्त्रिभिरमित्राद्भेदयित्वा मित्रं लभेत ॥ कZ_०९.६.१५ ॥
Then, by using secret agents, having sown division within the enemy’s side, he should secure a friend (ally).
Sutra 16
मित्रसंघस्य वा योऽन्तस्थायी तं लभेत ॥ कZ_०९.६.१६ ॥
Or, from within a confederation of allies, he should gain the ‘insider’ (the one positioned within).
Sutra 17
अन्तस्थायिनि लब्धे मध्यस्थायिनो भिद्यन्ते ॥ कZ_०९.६.१७ ॥
When the insider is secured, the neutral/intermediate parties become divided.
Sutra 18
मध्यस्थायिनं वा लभेत ॥ कZ_०९.६.१८ ॥
Or he should secure the neutral/intermediate party.
Sutra 19
मध्यस्थायिनि लब्धे नान्तस्थायिनः संहन्यन्ते ॥ कZ_०९.६.१९ ॥
When the neutral/intermediate party is secured, the insiders do not combine (do not form a united front).
Sutra 20
यथा चैषामाश्रयभेदस्तानुपायान्प्रयुञ्जीत ॥ कZ_०९.६.२० ॥
And according to the differences in their dependencies and bases of support, he should apply the corresponding measures (upāyas).
Sutra 21
धार्मिकं जातिकुलश्रुतवृत्तस्तवेन सम्बन्धेन पूर्वेषां त्रैकाल्योपकारानपकाराभ्यां वा सान्त्वयेत् ॥ कZ_०९.६.२१ ॥
He should conciliate (sāntvayet) a righteous person by praise of birth, lineage, learning, and conduct; by invoking relationship/association; and by recalling past, present, and future benefits—or, if necessary, by reference to harms (to be avoided).
Sutra 22
निवृत्तोत्साहं विग्रहश्रान्तं प्रतिहतोपायं क्षयव्ययाभ्यां प्रवासेन चोपतप्तं शौचेनान्यं लिप्समानमन्यस्माद्वा शङ्कमानं मैत्रीप्रधानं वा कल्याणबुद्धिं साम्ना साधयेत् ॥ कZ_०९.६.२२ ॥
By conciliation (sāman), he should win over one who has lost initiative, is weary from conflict, whose plans are blocked, who is afflicted by losses and expenditures, and by exile; or one who seeks a different (clean/secure) position, or who fears another; or one who is friendship-oriented and well-intentioned.
Sutra 23
लुब्धं क्षीणं वा तपस्विमुख्यावस्थापनापूर्वं दानेन साधयेत् ॥ कZ_०९.६.२३ ॥
A greedy person—or one who is weakened—should be won over by inducements (dāna), after first positioning respected leading ascetics (tapasvī-mukhya) at the front (i.e., using religious figures to create credibility and access).
Sutra 24
तत्पञ्चविधं देयविसर्गो गृहीतानुवर्तनमात्तप्रतिदानं स्वद्रव्यदानमपूर्वं परस्वेषु स्वयं ग्राहदानं च ॥ कZ_०९.६.२४ ॥
That policy of giving is fivefold: (1) dispensing what is to be given; (2) maintaining the allegiance of those already won; (3) repaying what has been taken/received (reciprocal return); (4) giving from one’s own resources; and (5) giving what is unprecedented—namely, arranging benefit for oneself from others’ resources (structuring transfers so the target “receives” from third parties while the state gains leverage).
Sutra 25
इति दानकर्म ॥ कZ_०९.६.२५ ॥
Thus ends the procedure/operation of inducement by giving (dāna).
Sutra 26
परस्परद्वेषवैरभूमिहरणशङ्कितमतोऽन्यतमेन भेदयेत् ॥ कZ_०९.६.२६ ॥
If they mutually hate or are hostile, or are suspicious about land-grabbing/territorial seizure, one should split them by using any one of these grounds as a wedge.
Sutra 27
भीरुं वा प्रतिघातेन कृतसंधिरेष त्वयि कर्मकरिष्यति मित्रमस्य निसृष्टं संधौ वा नाभ्यन्तरः इति ॥ कZ_०९.६.२७ ॥
Or, against a fearful person, by a counter-stroke/intimidating move, make him believe: “This one has concluded an agreement and will act against you; his ally has been planted/let loose; or in the treaty he is not truly an insider (not dependable).”
Sutra 28
यस्य वा स्वदेशादन्यदेशाद्वा पण्यानि पण्यागारतयागच्छेयुः तानि अस्य यातव्याल् लब्धानि इति सत्त्रिणश्चारयेयुः ॥ कZ_०९.६.२८ ॥
For anyone whose goods move from his own country or another country as if destined for a warehouse/market depot, agents (sattrin) should be deployed to report: “These goods are his consignments/in-transit acquisitions.”
Sutra 29
बहुलीभूते शासनमभित्यक्तेन प्रेषयेत् एतत्ते पण्यं पण्यागारं वा मया ते प्रेषितं सामवायिकेषु विक्रमस्व अपगच्छ वा ततः पणशेषमवाप्स्यसि इति ॥ कZ_०९.६.२९ ॥
When the situation has been sufficiently built up, he should send an instruction through a renounced/deniable intermediary (abhityakta): “This merchandise—or this warehouse—has been delivered to you by me. Assert your claim among the guild/collective (sāmavāyika); or withdraw, and then you will receive the remaining payment.”
Sutra 30
ततः सत्त्रिणः परेषु ग्राहयेयुः एतदरिप्रदत्तमिति ॥ कZ_०९.६.३० ॥
Then the agents should cause others to accept/believe: “This was given by the enemy.”
Sutra 31
शत्रुप्रख्यातं वा पण्यमविज्ञातं विजिगीषुं गच्छेत् ॥ कZ_०९.६.३१ ॥
Or, goods that are known/identified with the enemy should be taken to the would-be conqueror by someone unrecognized (avijñāta).
Sutra 32
तदस्य वैदेहकव्यञ्जनाः शत्रुमुख्येषु विक्रीणीरन् ॥ कZ_०९.६.३२ ॥
Then his Vaidehaka traders/agents should sell those goods among the enemy’s leading men (elite circles).
Sutra 33
ततः सत्त्रिणः परेषु ग्राहयेयुः एतत्पण्यमरिप्रदत्तमिति ॥ कZ_०९.६.३३ ॥
Thereafter, the state’s covert agents should get them arrested among the outsiders (i.e., in the enemy’s sphere) on the charge: “This merchandise was supplied by the enemy.”
Sutra 34
महापराधानर्थमानाभ्यामुपगृह्य वा शस्त्ररसाग्निभिरमित्रे प्रणिदध्यात् ॥ कZ_०९.६.३४ ॥
Or, having secured (them) through (charges of) major offences, or by inducement and honor, he should deploy (means of harm) against the enemy—by weapons, poison/chemical substances, or fire.
Sutra 35
अथैकममात्यं निष्पातयेत् ॥ कZ_०९.६.३५ ॥
Then he should eliminate a single minister/official (of the enemy).
Sutra 36
तस्य पुत्रदारमुपगृह्य रात्रौ हतमिति ख्यापयेत् ॥ कZ_०९.६.३६ ॥
Having taken control of his son and wife, he should spread the report: “He was killed at night.”
Sutra 37
अथामात्यः शत्रोस्तानेकैकशः प्ररूपयेत् ॥ कZ_०९.६.३७ ॥
Then an (infiltrated) minister/agent should, one by one, reconnoiter and assess the enemy’s positions/posts.
Sutra 38
ते चेद् यथोक्तं कुर्युर्न चैनान् ग्राहयेत् ॥ कZ_०९.६.३८ ॥
If they act as instructed, he should not have them arrested.
Sutra 39
अशक्तिमतो वा ग्राहयेत् ॥ कZ_०९.६.३९ ॥
Or he should arrest those lacking capacity/means.
Sutra 40
आप्तभावोपगतो मुख्यादस्यात्मानं रक्षणीयं कथयेत् ॥ कZ_०९.६.४० ॥
Having assumed a posture of trust, he should tell the principal: “Your own person must be protected.”
Sutra 41
अथामित्रशासनं मुख्योपघाताय प्रेषितमुभयवेतनो ग्राहयेत् ॥ कZ_०९.६.४१ ॥
Then he should seize the double-paid agent—sent under the enemy’s orders to injure the principal leader.
Sutra 42
उत्साहशक्तिमतो वा प्रेषयेत् अमुष्य राज्यं गृहाण यथास्थितो नः संधिः इति ॥ कZ_०९.६.४२ ॥
Or he should dispatch one possessing initiative and capability (with the message): “Seize that man’s kingdom; our treaty remains as it is.”
Sutra 43
ततः सत्त्रिणः परेषु ग्राहयेयुः ॥ कZ_०९.६.४३ ॥
Thereafter, the infiltrators (sattrin) should be made to secure agents/associates within the enemy side.
Sutra 44
एकस्य स्कन्धावारं वीवधमासारं वा घातयेयुः ॥ कZ_०९.६.४४ ॥
They should have the camp (or a section of the camp) of one party struck—by stirring up a clash/disturbance or by a sudden raid/assault.
Sutra 45
इतरेषु मैत्रीं ब्रुवाणाः त्वमेतेषां घातयितव्यः इत्युपजपेयुः ॥ कZ_०९.६.४५ ॥
Approaching the others with professions of friendship, they should whisper: “You are the one whom these people intend to kill.”
Sutra 46
यस्य वा प्रवीरपुरुषो हस्ती हयो वा म्रियेत गूढपुरुषैर्हन्येत ह्रियेत वा सत्त्रिणः परस्परोपहतं ब्रूयुः ॥ कZ_०९.६.४६ ॥
If a leading warrior, an elephant, or a horse belonging to someone dies—or is secretly killed or stolen by covert agents—the infiltrators should declare that it was done by one faction against another (i.e., mutual injury).
Sutra 47
ततः शासनमभिशस्तस्य प्रेषयेत्भूयः कुरु ततः पणशेएषमवाप्स्यसि इति ॥ कZ_०९.६.४७ ॥
Then he should send a directive to the one who has been accused: “Do it again; then you will obtain the remaining payment.”
Sutra 48
तदुभयवेतना ग्राहयेयुः ॥ कZ_०९.६.४८ ॥
In that manner, they should make him accept payment from both sides (i.e., double remuneration).
Sutra 49
भिन्नेष्वन्यतमं लभेत ॥ कZ_०९.६.४९ ॥
Once they are divided, he should gain one of them (as an ally/defector).
Sutra 50
तेन सेनापतिकुमारदण्डचारिणो व्याख्याताः ॥ कZ_०९.६.५० ॥
By this, the cases concerning the commander, the prince, and the enforcement officers are also explained (i.e., the same method applies to them).
Sutra 51
सांधिकं च भेदं प्रयुञ्जीत ॥ कZ_०९.६.५१ ॥
He should employ dissension together with diplomacy/treaty-making.
Sutra 52
इति भेदकर्म ॥ कZ_०९.६.५२ ॥
Thus ends the operation of dissension (bheda-karman).
Sutra 53
तीक्ष्णमुत्साहिनं व्यसनिनं स्थितशत्रुं वा गूढपुरुषाः शस्त्राग्निरसादिभिः साधयेयुः सौकर्यतो वा तेषामन्यतमः ॥ कZ_०९.६.५३ ॥
Covert agents should neutralize an adversary who is fierce, highly enterprising, addicted to vices, or a persistent enemy—by weapons, fire, poison, and the like; or, depending on convenience, by any one of those means.
Sutra 54
तीक्ष्णो ह्येकः शस्त्ररसाग्निभिः साधयेत् ॥ कZ_०९.६.५४ ॥
Indeed, a single tīkṣṇa-agent can accomplish it by weapon, poison, or fire.
Sutra 55
अयं सर्वसंदोहकर्म विशिष्टं वा करोति ॥ कZ_०९.६.५५ ॥
This (agent) performs either comprehensive combined operations or a specific specialized task.
Sutra 56
इत्युपायचतुर्वर्गः ॥ कZ_०९.६.५६ ॥
Thus (is stated) the fourfold set of policy instruments (upāyas).
Sutra 57
पूर्वः पूर्वश्चास्य लघिष्ठः ॥ कZ_०९.६.५७ ॥
Each preceding (measure) is the lighter one (than the one that follows).
Sutra 58
सान्त्वमेकगुणम् ॥ कZ_०९.६.५८ ॥
Conciliation (sāma/sāntva) is a one-fold measure (a single instrument).
Sutra 59
दानं द्विगुणं सान्त्वपूर्वम् ॥ कZ_०९.६.५९ ॥
Concessions/incentives (dāna) are twofold and should be preceded by conciliation.
Sutra 60
भेदस्त्रिगुणः सान्त्वदानपूर्वः ॥ कZ_०९.६.६० ॥
Division (bheda) is threefold and should be preceded by conciliation and incentives.
Sutra 61
दण्डश्चतुर्गुणः सान्त्वदानभेदपूर्वः ॥ कZ_०९.६.६१ ॥
Coercion/punishment (daṇḍa) is fourfold and should be preceded by conciliation, incentives, and division.
Sutra 62
इत्यभियुञ्जानेषूक्तम् ॥ कZ_०९.६.६२ ॥
Thus it is stated regarding those who are undertaking (the application of these measures).
Sutra 63
स्वभूमिष्ठेषु तु त एवोपायाः ॥ कZ_०९.६.६३ ॥
In the case of those firmly established in their own territory, those same measures (already stated) are to be applied.
Sutra 64
विशेषस्तु ॥ कZ_०९.६.६४ ॥
However, there is a special (distinct) provision.
Sutra 65
स्वभूमिष्ठानामन्यतमस्य पण्यागारैरभिज्ञातान्दूतमुख्यानभीक्ष्णं प्रेषयेत् ॥ कZ_०९.६.६५ ॥
To one among those entrenched in his own territory, he should repeatedly dispatch principal envoys who are known/recognised through trading-houses (commercial depots and merchant networks).
Sutra 66
त एनं संधौ परहिंसायां वा योजयेयुः ॥ कZ_०९.६.६६ ॥
They should engage him either in a treaty (arrangement) or in injury to the enemy (hostile action).
Sutra 67
अप्रतिपद्यमानं कृतो नः संधिः इत्यावेदयेयुः ॥ कZ_०९.६.६७ ॥
If he does not accept, they should announce: 'A treaty has been concluded with us.'
Sutra 68
तमितरेषामुभयवेतनाः संक्रामयेयुः अयं वो राजा दुष्टः इति ॥ कZ_०९.६.६८ ॥
Double-salaried agents should transfer him over to the other side(s), saying: 'This king of yours is wicked.'
Sutra 69
यस्य वा यस्माद्भयं वैरं द्वेषो वा तं तस्माद्भेदयेयुः अयं ते शत्रुणा संधत्ते पुरा त्वामतिसंधत्ते क्षिप्रतरं संधीयस्व निग्रहे चास्य प्रयतस्व इति ॥ कZ_०९.६.६९ ॥
Whomever he fears, is hostile to, or hates, they should split him from that party, saying: “He is making a pact with your enemy; before he outmaneuvers you with a pact, conclude an alliance more quickly and strive to restrain him.”
Sutra 70
आवाहविवाहाभ्यां वा कृत्वा सम्योगमसम्युक्तान्भेदयेत् ॥ कZ_०९.६.७० ॥
Or, by forming a connection through betrothal and marriage, he should split those who are not yet united.
Sutra 71
सामन्ताटविकतत्कुलीनापरुद्धैश्चैषां राज्यानि घातयेत्सार्थव्रजाटवीर्वा दण्डं वाभिसृतम् ॥ कZ_०९.६.७१ ॥
He should strike at their kingdoms using frontier vassals, forest chiefs, tribal/noble lineages, and detained persons (hostages/prisoners); or by deploying merchant caravans and forest-fighters (as instruments), or by a punitive force sent out.
Sutra 72
परस्परापाश्रयाश्चैषां जातिसंघाश्छिद्रेषु प्रहरेयुः गूढाश्चाग्निरसशस्त्रेण ॥ कZ_०९.६.७२ ॥
Their mutually interdependent tribal/corporate confederacies should strike at weak points; and covert agents should do so with fire, poison, and weapons.
Sutra 73
घातयेत्परमिश्रायां विश्वासेनामिषेण च ॥ कZ_०९.६.७३च्द् ॥
He should have (the target) killed in a mixed/neutral setting, using trust and bait as the means.
By collapsing enemy cohesion through targeted covert measures, the state avoids prolonged campaigns, reduces battlefield casualties and fiscal drain, and secures faster stabilization of conquered territory—thus protecting subjects and treasury through cheaper victory.
This unit does not state a codified internal penalty; implied daṇḍa is operational: agents who fail ‘yathokta’ are not to be seized if compliant, while the incapable (aśaktimataḥ) may be seized/neutralized. In practice, dereliction in secret service falls under rājadaṇḍa (discipline up to removal or death) elsewhere in the śāstra.