Sutra 3

Devanagari script

महाकुलीनो दैवबुद्धिसत्त्वसम्पन्नो वृद्धदर्शी धार्मिकः सत्यवागविसंवादकः कृतज्ञः स्थूललक्षो महोत्साहोऽदीर्घसूत्रः शक्यसामन्तो दृढबुद्धिरक्षुद्रपरिषत्को विनयकाम इत्याभिगामिका गुणाः ॥ कZ_०६.१.०३ ॥

Transliteration

mahākulīno daivabuddhisattvasampanno vṛddhadarśī dhārmikaḥ satyavāgavisaṃvādakaḥ kṛtajñaḥ sthūlalakṣo mahotsāho'dīrghasūtraḥ śakyasāmanto dṛḍhabuddhir akṣudrapariṣatko vinayakāma ity ābhigāmikā guṇāḥ

Translation

The ruler should be: of eminent lineage; endowed with sound judgment and courage; experienced in the ways of elders; committed to dharma; truthful in speech and consistent in action; grateful; possessing clear, substantial marks of capability; highly energetic; not procrastinating; able to manage and integrate feudatories; firm-minded; supported by a competent (non-petty) council; and inclined toward discipline and self-restraint—these are the ābhigāmika (appeal-winning) qualities.

Word by Word

महाकुलीनःof noble/high lineage

दैवबुद्धि-सत्त्व-सम्पन्नःendowed with providential insight and courage/fortitude

वृद्धदर्शीone who consults/observes elders (experienced persons)

धार्मिकःrighteous; law-abiding

सत्यवाक्truth-speaking

अविसंवादकःnon-deceptive; not given to contradiction or breach of promise

कृतज्ञःgrateful; mindful of benefits received

स्थूललक्षःone who keeps the main objective in view; broad-minded in aims

महोत्साहःhighly energetic; of great initiative

अदीर्घसूत्रःnot procrastinating; prompt in action

शक्यसामन्तःcapable regarding frontier vassals—able to manage/bring neighbouring chiefs under control

दृढबुद्धिःfirm-minded; resolute in judgment

अक्षुद्रपरिषत्कःnot having a petty/mean council; attended by a worthy advisory body

विनयकामःfond of discipline and good conduct; trainable

इतिthus

आभिगामिकाः(these are) winning/approachable qualities

गुणाःqualities

Entities Mentioned

svāmin (ruler)

pariṣad (council)

sāmanta (feudatory/neighboring chief)

FAQs

What does Kauṭilya mean by ābhigāmika qualities in this context?

They are ruler-traits that generate acceptance and confidence—social legitimacy, moral credibility, decisiveness, and the ability to work with power-holders like councils and feudatories.

Why is ‘avisaṃvādaka’ (consistency) politically important?

Consistency reduces uncertainty for officials and subjects, improves compliance, and prevents credibility loss that rivals can exploit.