मित्राभावे प्रकृतीनां लघीयस्यैकतोऽनर्थां साधयेत् उभयतोऽनर्थां ज्यायस्या समन्ततोऽनर्थां मूलेन प्रतिकुर्यात् ॥ कZ_०९.७.३४ ॥
mitrābhāve prakṛtīnāṃ laghīyasy aikato'narthāṃ sādhayet, ubhayato'narthāṃ jyāyasyāḥ, samantato'narthāṃ mūlena pratikuryāt
In the absence of allies, he should manage a one-sided loss by strengthening the lighter (weaker) elements of the state; a two-sided loss by strengthening the stronger elements; and an all-around loss by remedying it at the root.
Use internal balancing: reinforce weak state-elements for localized loss, reinforce strong ones for multi-front loss, and treat systemic collapse by addressing root causes (finance, legitimacy, command, logistics).