Sutra 55

Devanagari script

समबलेन याचितः संदधीत ॥ कZ_१०.३.५५ ॥

Transliteration

samabalena yācitaḥ saṃdadhīta

Translation

If peace is requested by one of equal strength, he should conclude the treaty.

Word by Word

• समबलेन: with/through equal strength; being of equal power
• Type: Noun (compound)
• Root: समबल
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया-एकवचन; (सम + बल) ‘equal strength/force’ as an adjectival compound used substantively; instrumental of means/association

• याचितः: having been requested; when requested
• Type: Verb (past passive participle)
• Root: याच्
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचन; ‘having been requested/asked’; agrees with implied subject (e.g., राजा/मित्रम्)

• संदधीत: should make an agreement; should conclude a settlement/treaty
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + धा
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative); परस्मैपदम्; प्रथमपुरुष; एकवचन; ‘should make/arrange/enter into (alliance/settlement)’

Entities Mentioned

• king/ruler
• equal-power rival

More Details

FAQs

What does Kautilya recommend when the adversary is of equal strength?

Accepting peace reduces uncertainty and prevents mutually costly escalation when decisive victory is unlikely.

How is this different from peace after breaking elite forces (10.3.54)?

10.3.54 is peace from a position of advantage; 10.3.55 is peace under parity to avoid stalemate and attrition.