Sutra 27

Devanagari script

भीरुं वा प्रतिघातेन कृतसंधिरेष त्वयि कर्मकरिष्यति मित्रमस्य निसृष्टं संधौ वा नाभ्यन्तरः इति ॥ कZ_०९.६.२७ ॥

Transliteration

bhīruṃ vā pratighātena kṛtasaṃdhir eṣa tvayi karmakariṣyati mitram asya nisṛṣṭaṃ saṃdhau vā nābhyantaraḥ iti

Translation

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).”

Word by Word

भीरुम्a timid (person)

वाor

प्रतिघातेनby counter-attack / by striking back

कृतसन्धिःone who has made a treaty

एषःthis (man)

त्वयिin you / towards you

कर्मa task / service

करिष्यतिwill do / will perform

मित्रम्an ally / friend

अस्यof him / his

निसृष्टम्sent forth / commissioned / let loose

सन्धौin a treaty / in peace negotiations

वाor

नnot

अभ्यन्तरःan insider / internal (man)

इतिthus

Entities Mentioned

bhīru (fearful target)

kṛtasaṃdhi (pact-maker)

mitra (ally)

FAQs

What is the political logic of targeting a ‘fearful’ person?

Fear increases receptivity to threat narratives; by amplifying perceived betrayal, one can provoke preemptive defection or isolation of the rival.

What does ‘na abhyantaraḥ’ imply in diplomatic terms?

It suggests the counterpart is not genuinely committed—useful for undermining confidence in alliances and treaties.