Sutra 17

Devanagari script

संधेयतामात्मनः परस्य चोपलभ्य संदधीत ॥ कZ_०७.१५.१७ ॥

Transliteration

saṃdheyatām ātmanaḥ parasya copalabhya saṃdadhīta

Translation

Having ascertained the ‘peace-worthiness’ (suitability for a settlement) of oneself and of the other, one should conclude a treaty.

Word by Word

• संधेयताम्: Let (one) determine/ascertain the feasibility of making a treaty (peace/alliance).
• Type: Verb
• Root: संधा (सम्+धा)
• Form: लोट् (आज्ञार्थे), प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्, आत्मनेपदम्; धातुः सम्+धा ‘संधान/समाधान/समाधेयत्वे’

• आत्मनः: of oneself / of one’s own side
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन्
• Form: षष्ठी, एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः (आत्मन्-शब्दः)

• परस्य: of the other (party)
• Type: Noun/Adjective (substantive)
• Root: पर
• Form: षष्ठी, एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः

• च: and
• Type: Particle
• Root: च
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्ययम्

• उपलभ्य: having ascertained / having obtained (knowledge of)
• Type: Verb (absolutive)
• Root: उपलभ् (उप+लभ्)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (ल्यप्) अव्ययम्; धातुः उप+लभ् ‘प्राप्तौ/अवगमने’

• संदधीत: he should conclude (a treaty) / should make an alliance
• Type: Verb
• Root: संधा (सम्+धा)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (संभावना/विधान), प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्, परस्मैपदम्; धातुः सम्+धा ‘संधान/संयोजने’

Entities Mentioned

• self (king)
• other king

More Details

FAQs

What does ‘saṃdheyatā’ imply in practical governance terms?

A calculated assessment of whether peace serves interests now—considering capability, stability, incentives to comply, and the costs of continued conflict.