Sutra 9

Devanagari script

शत्रुमित्रमुत्साहयितुमर्थो न वेति संशयः ॥ कZ_०९.७.०९ ॥

Transliteration

śatrumitramutsāhayitum artho na veti saṃśayaḥ

Translation

Doubt arises whether expenditure (artha/outlay) should or should not be used to encourage (win over/energize) the enemy’s ally.

Word by Word

• शत्रु-मित्रम्: the enemy and the ally (both)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत्रु / मित्र
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, द्वितीया (कर्म)

• उत्साहयितुम्: to encourage, to rouse (to action)
• Type: Verb (Infinitive)
• Root: उत्साहय् (उत्+सह्)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (infinitive), प्रयोजनार्थक; सकर्मक

• अर्थः: resources/means (wealth)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा (कर्ता/विषय)

• न: not
• Type: Particle (Negation)
• Root: न
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय

• वा: or
• Type: Particle
• Root: वा
• Form: विकल्पार्थक अव्यय

• इति: thus
• Type: Particle/Quotative
• Root: इति
• Form: उद्धरण/वाक्य-समाप्त्यर्थक अव्यय

• संशयः: doubt, uncertainty
• Type: Noun
• Root: संशय
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा

Entities Mentioned

• śatru
• śatru-mitra

More Details

FAQs

What is the policy dilemma stated here?

Whether spending resources to influence an enemy’s ally is justified, i.e., if the political gain outweighs fiscal and strategic risk.

What niti concept is implied?

Instrumental use of wealth in diplomacy—funds are a tool, but must be justified by expected strategic payoff.