Sutra 23
Devanagari script
लुब्धं क्षीणं वा तपस्विमुख्यावस्थापनापूर्वं दानेन साधयेत् ॥ कZ_०९.६.२३ ॥
Transliteration
lubdhaṃ kṣīṇaṃ vā tapasvi-mukhyāvasthāpanāpūrvaṃ dānena sādhayet
Translation
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).
Word by Word
लुब्धम्a greedy (person)
लुब्धम्:
TypeAdjective (used substantively)
Rootलुब्ध (√लुभ्)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (कर्मपदम्)
क्षीणम्an enfeebled / weakened (person)
क्षीणम्:
TypeAdjective (used substantively)
Rootक्षीण (√क्षि)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (कर्मपदम्)
वाor
वा:
TypeParticle
Rootवा
Formविकल्पार्थक निपातः
तपस्वि-मुख्य-अवस्थापनापूर्वम्after first installing/setting up a leading ascetic (as a front)
तपस्वि-मुख्य-अवस्थापनापूर्वम्:
TypeAdjective (indeclinable adverbial use)
Rootतपस्विन् + मुख्य + अवस्थापनापूर्व
Formनपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया एकवचनम्; क्रियाविशेषणवत् (पूर्वम् = ‘पहले’); विग्रहः: तपस्विनां मुख्यस्य अवस्थापनापूर्वम्
दानेनby means of gifts / bribery
दानेन:
TypeNoun
Rootदान
Formनपुंसकलिङ्गे तृतीया एकवचनम्; करणम्
साधयेत्should win over / accomplish (his purpose)
साधयेत्:
TypeVerb
Root√साध्
Formविधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; कर्ता (अध्याहृतः): (राजा/अमात्यः)
Entities Mentioned
T
tapasvī (ascetics)L
lubdha (greedy target)K
kṣīṇa (weakened target)FAQs
They function as trusted intermediaries: they open access, reduce suspicion, and frame the inducement as legitimate or moral, increasing compliance.
Those motivated by gain (greedy) and those under stress or depletion (weakened), both more responsive to material relief or advantage.