Abhiyasyatkarma Adhyaya 7 Sutra 59 - Arthashastra | English | Vedapath

Kautilya

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Sutra 59

Devanagari script

सामवायिकानामपुरोगस्य तु यात्रामध्यान्तगोऽनर्थः संशयो श्रेयानुपसम्प्राप्तुमनिर्बन्धगामित्वात् ॥ कZ_०९.७.५९ ॥

Transliteration

sāmavāyikānām apurogasya tu yātrā-madhyānta-go 'narthaḥ saṃśayo vā śreyān upasamprāptum anirbandha-gāmitvāt

Translation

For a collective enterprise without a recognized leader, misfortune may arise at any stage—beginning, middle, or end; therefore, when outcomes are indeterminate, it is better to proceed with caution and avoid rigid commitment, since such ventures tend to drift without firm direction.

Word by Word

सामवायिकानाम्of the confederates / allied associates

अपुरोगस्यof one who is not at the front / of a leaderless (advance)

तुbut / however

यात्राexpedition / march

मध्यmiddle

अन्तend

गःgoing / being (located)

अनर्थःharm / misfortune

संशयःdoubt / uncertainty

श्रेयान्better / preferable

उपसम्प्राप्तुम्to reach / to attain

अनिर्बन्धwithout firm resolve

गामित्वात्because of the tendency to go / because of going (in that manner)

Entities Mentioned

collective enterprise

leaderless organization

FAQs

What administrative risk does Kautilya highlight in leaderless collective undertakings?

Coordination failure: without a clear leader, harm can arise at any phase, so the state should avoid rigid commitment and keep options open.

What is the implied governance prescription?

Assign accountable leadership and maintain controllable commitments; otherwise treat the venture as high-variance and proceed cautiously.