Adhyaya 17

Sutra 1

शमः संधिः समाधिरित्येकोऽर्थः ॥ कZ_०७.१७.०१ ॥

‘Śama’, ‘saṃdhi’, and ‘samādhi’ convey one meaning (i.e., a settlement/peace arrangement).

Sutra 2

राज्ञां विश्वासोपगमः शमः संधिः समाधिरिति ॥ कZ_०७.१७.०२ ॥

Śama/saṃdhi/samādhi is the attainment of mutual confidence between kings.

Sutra 3

सत्यं शपथो वा चलः संधिः प्रतिभूः प्रतिग्रहो वा स्थावरः इत्याचार्याः ॥ कZ_०७.१७.०३ ॥

The teachers say: a ‘movable/contingent’ treaty is (secured by) truthfulness or an oath; a ‘fixed/durable’ treaty is (secured by) a guarantor or by receiving a pledge.

Sutra 5

सत्यं शपथो वा परत्रेह च स्थावरः संधिः इहार्थ एव प्रतिभूः प्रतिग्रहो वा बलापेक्षः ॥ कZ_०७.१७.०५ ॥

Truthfulness or an oath constitutes a durable treaty both here and hereafter; but a guarantor or a received pledge has force only for this-worldly purposes and depends upon relative power.

Sutra 6

संहिताः स्मः इति सत्यसंधाः पूर्वे राजानः सत्येन संदधिरे ॥ कZ_०७.१७.०६ ॥

Saying, ‘We are united/combined,’ the former kings—true to their treaties—entered into compacts by means of truth.

Sutra 7

तस्यातिक्रमे शपथेन अग्न्युदकसीताप्राकारलोष्टहस्तिस्कन्धाश्वपृष्टरथोपस्थशस्त्ररत्नबीजगन्धरससुवर्णहिरण्यान्यालेभिरे हन्युरेतानि त्यजेयुश्चैनं यः शपथमतिक्रामेत् इति ॥ कZ_०७.१७.०७ ॥

For breach of that (agreement), one should bind him by an oath: “May fire, water, the cultivated boundary-line, fortification, clod of earth, the elephant’s shoulder, the horse’s back, the chariot-seat, weapons, jewels, seeds, perfumes, tastes (foodstuffs), gold, and silver strike and abandon the one who violates the oath.”

Sutra 8

शपथातिक्रमे महतां तपस्विनां मुख्यानां वा प्रातिभाव्यबन्धः प्रतिभूः ॥ कZ_०७.१७.०८ ॥

In case of violation of an oath, a surety-bond should be taken—namely, a guarantor (pratibhū) who is a great person, an ascetic of standing, or a principal (leading) man.

Sutra 9

तस्मिन्यः परावग्रहसमर्थान्प्रतिभुवो गृह्णाति सोऽतिसंधत्ते ॥ कZ_०७.१७.०९ ॥

In that matter, whoever accepts guarantors who are capable of being seized/held by the other party (as leverage), he makes an over-secured (one-sided) arrangement.

Sutra 10

विपरीतोऽतिसंधीयते ॥ कZ_०७.१७.१० ॥

The opposite (choice) results in an over-secured arrangement in the other direction.

Sutra 11

बन्धुमुख्यप्रग्रहः प्रतिग्रहः ॥ कZ_०७.१७.११ ॥

A ‘counter-pledge’ (pratigraha) is the taking/holding (pragraha) of a kinsman or a principal (leading person).

Sutra 12

तस्मिन्यो दूष्यामात्यं दूष्यापत्यं वा ददाति सोऽतिसंधत्ते ॥ कZ_०७.१७.१२ ॥

In that context, whoever gives (as security) an official who can be corrupted, or an heir who can be corrupted, makes an over-secured (and thus strategically unsound) arrangement.

Sutra 13

विपरीतोऽतिसंधीयते ॥ कZ_०७.१७.१३ ॥

The opposite choice likewise produces an over-secured arrangement (in the opposite direction).

Sutra 14

प्रतिग्रहग्रहणविश्वस्तस्य हि परश्छिद्रेषु निरपेक्षः प्रहरति ॥ कZ_०७.१७.१४ ॥

For one who has become complacently trusting because a counter-pledge has been taken, the enemy strikes without hesitation at his vulnerabilities.

Sutra 15

अपत्यसमाधौ तु कन्यापुत्रदाने ददत्तु कन्यामतिसंधत्ते ॥ कZ_०७.१७.१५ ॥

But in arranging succession/issue (apatya-samādhi), even when giving a daughter (in marriage) to obtain a son, the one who gives the daughter makes an over-committing arrangement.

Sutra 16

कन्या ह्यदायादा परेषामेवार्थायाक्लेश्या च ॥ कZ_०७.१७.१६ ॥

For a daughter is not a bearer of inheritance (in her natal line); she serves the interests of others (her husband’s house) and can be made to suffer hardship.

Sutra 17

विपरीतः पुत्रः ॥ कZ_०७.१७.१७ ॥

Here, a “son” (i.e., an agent/auxiliary) means one who is of the opposite type (to the one in view).

Sutra 18

पुत्रयोरपि यो जात्यं प्राज्ञं शूरं कृतास्त्रमेकपुत्रं वा ददाति सोऽतिसंधीयते ॥ कZ_०७.१७.१८ ॥

Even between two “sons” (agents), whoever hands over (entrusts/sends) a well-born one, or a wise one, or a brave one, or a trained-in-arms one, or an only son becomes liable to be outwitted.

Sutra 19

विपरीतोऽतिसंधत्ते ॥ कZ_०७.१७.१९ ॥

The opposite-type one outwits (the other).

Sutra 20

जात्यादजात्यो हि लुप्तदायादसंतानत्वादाधातुं श्रेयान्प्राज्ञादप्राज्ञो मन्त्रशक्तिलोपात् शूरादशूर उत्साहशक्तिलोपात्कृतास्त्रादकृतास्त्रः प्रहर्तव्यसम्पल्लोपात् एकपुत्रादनेकपुत्रो निरपेक्षत्वात् ॥ कZ_०७.१७.२० ॥

For, against a well-born one, the low-born may be better to employ—because, lacking heirs and lineage, he is more “holdable” (more securable/controllable). Against a wise one, the unwise may prevail because the wise person’s capacity for counsel can be neutralized. Against a brave one, the unbrave may prevail because the brave person’s energy can be blunted. Against a trained-in-arms one, the untrained may prevail because the trained person’s means to strike can be taken away. Against an only son, one with many sons may prevail because he is less dependent and less constrained (more indifferent to loss).

Sutra 21

जात्यप्राज्ञयोर्जात्यमप्राज्ञमैश्वर्यप्रकृतिरनुवर्तते प्राज्ञमजात्यं मन्त्राधिकारः ॥ कZ_०७.१७.२१ ॥

Between the well-born and the wise: the well-born, though unwise, is followed by the “constituents of sovereignty” (power-structures naturally align with status). But the wise, though low-born, is fit for authority over counsel (the advisory function).

Sutra 22

मन्त्राधिकारेऽपि वृद्धसम्योगाज्जात्यः प्राज्ञमतिसंधत्ते ॥ कZ_०७.१७.२२ ॥

Even in the sphere of counsel, the well-born can outwit the wise—through association with elders (senior networks/established advisers).

Sutra 23

प्राज्ञशूरयोः प्राज्ञमशूरं मतिकर्मणां योगोऽनुवर्तते शूरमप्राज्ञं विक्रमाधिकारः ॥ कZ_०७.१७.२३ ॥

Between the wise and the brave: the wise though not brave is followed by the coordination of planning-actions (work that depends on intelligence). But the brave though unwise has authority in deeds of valor (execution requiring daring).

Sutra 24

विक्रमाधिकारेऽपि हस्तिनमिव लुब्धकः प्राज्ञः शूरमतिसंधत्तेश् ॥ कZ_०७.१७.२४ ॥

Even in the sphere of valor, the wise can outwit the brave—like a hunter outwitting an elephant.

Sutra 25

शूरकृतास्त्रयोः शूरमकृतास्त्रं विक्रमव्यवसायोऽनुवर्तते कृतास्त्रमशूरं लक्ष्यलम्भाधिकारः ॥ कZ_०७.१७.२५ ॥

Between the brave and the trained-in-arms: the brave though untrained is followed by enterprise in valor (bold undertaking). But the trained-in-arms though not brave has authority in attaining the objective (hitting/achieving the target).

Sutra 26

लक्ष्यलम्भाधिकारेऽपि स्थैर्यप्रतिपत्त्यसम्मोषैः शूरः कृतास्त्रमतिसंधत्ते ॥ कZ_०७.१७.२६ ॥

Even in the sphere of attaining the objective, the brave can outwit the trained-in-arms—through steadiness, correct grasp of the situation, and freedom from confusion.

Sutra 27

बह्वेकपुत्रयोर्बहुपुत्र एकं दत्त्वा शेषप्रतिष्टब्धः संधिमतिक्रामति नेतरः ॥ कZ_०७.१७.२७ ॥

Between a king with many sons and a king with only one son, the many‑sons king—after giving one (son/hostage) and being secured by the remainder—will violate the treaty; the other will not.

Sutra 28

पुत्रसर्वस्वदाने संधिश्चेत्पुत्रफलतो विशेषः ॥ कZ_०७.१७.२८ ॥

If a treaty is to be concluded by giving a son and one’s entire stake (all that is pledged), the decisive difference is the ‘value/fruit’ of the son (i.e., the strategic worth of that heir).

Sutra 29

समफलयोः शक्तप्रजननतो विशेषः ॥ कZ_०७.१७.२९ ॥

When the ‘value/fruit’ is equal, the differentiator is the capacity to produce offspring (i.e., reproductive/dynastic resilience).

Sutra 30

शक्तप्रजननयोरप्युपस्थितप्रजननतो विशेषः ॥ कZ_०७.१७.३० ॥

Even when both are capable of procreation, the differentiator is the presence of already-existing offspring (i.e., heirs already produced).

Sutra 31

शक्तिमत्येकपुत्रे तु लुप्तपुत्रोत्पत्तिरात्मानमादध्यात् न चैकपुत्रमिति ॥ कZ_०७.१७.३१ ॥

But if there is a single powerful son, the possibility of the son’s loss (and thus loss of issue) must be counted against oneself; therefore, it should not be treated as ‘only one son’ in a simplistic way.

Sutra 32

अभ्युच्चीयमानः समाधिमोक्षं कारयेत् ॥ कZ_०७.१७.३२ ॥

When the other side is rising in power, one should arrange release from the settlement/constraint (i.e., exit or loosen the binding agreement).

Sutra 33

कुमारासन्नाः सत्त्रिणः कारुशिल्पिव्यञ्जनाः कर्माणि कुर्वाणाः सुरुङ्गया रात्राव् उपखानयित्वा कुमारमपहरेयुः ॥ कZ_०७.१७.३३ ॥

Agents positioned near the prince—disguised as mendicants and as artisans/craftsmen performing jobs—may, by tunneling at night, abduct the prince.

Sutra 34

नटनर्तकगायनवादकवाग्जीवनकुशीलवप्लवकसौभिका वा पूर्वप्रणिहिताः परमुपतिष्ठेरन् ॥ कZ_०७.१७.३४ ॥

Or actors, dancers, singers, instrumentalists, professional orators, entertainers, boatmen/ferrymen, and showmen—previously planted—may approach and ingratiate themselves further.

Sutra 35

ते कुमारं परं परयोपतिष्ठेरन् ॥ कZ_०७.१७.३५ ॥

They would attend upon the prince with increasing closeness, step by step (deepening access).

Sutra 36

तेषामनियतकालप्रवेशस्थाननिर्गमनानि स्थापयेत् ॥ कZ_०७.१७.३६ ॥

For them, one should institute irregular (unpredictable) times, entry points, locations, and exits.

Sutra 47

अन्यद्वा शरीरं निक्षिप्य स्वगृहमादीपयेदनुपातभयात् ॥ कZ_०७.१७.४७ ॥

Or else, leaving another body (a substitute corpse) behind, he should set his own house on fire, out of fear of being pursued.

Sutra 48

ततः संधिच्छेदखातसुरुङ्गाभिरपगच्छेत् ॥ कZ_०७.१७.४८ ॥

Then he should depart by means of breaches in walls, ditches, or tunnels.

Sutra 49

काचकुम्भभाण्डभारव्यञ्जनो वा रात्रौ प्रतिष्ठेत ॥ कZ_०७.१७.४९ ॥

Or, adopting the guise of one carrying loads of glass jars and household vessels, he should move/establish himself at night.

Sutra 50

मुण्डजटिलानां प्रवासनान्यनुप्रविष्टो वा रात्रौ तद्व्यञ्जनः प्रतिष्ठेत विरूपव्याधिकरणारण्यचरच्छद्मनामन्यतमेन वा ॥ कZ_०७.१७.५० ॥

Or, having entered the migratory groups of shaven-headed mendicants and matted-haired ascetics, he should, at night, present himself in that guise; or in any one of these: as a disfigured person, as one feigning illness, as a forest-roamer, or under an assumed name.

Sutra 51

प्रेतव्यञ्जनो वा गूढैर्निर्ह्रियेत ॥ कZ_०७.१७.५१ ॥

Or, adopting the guise of a corpse, he should be carried out secretly by concealed agents.

Sutra 52

प्रेतं वा स्त्रीवेषेणानुगच्छेत् ॥ कZ_०७.१७.५२ ॥

Or he should follow the corpse while dressed in women’s attire.

Sutra 53

वनचरव्यञ्जनाश्चैनमन्यतो यान्तमन्यतोऽपदिशेयुः ॥ कZ_०७.१७.५३ ॥

And agents disguised as forest-roamers should, while he goes in one direction, point him out as going in another direction.

Sutra 54

ततोऽन्यतो गच्छेत् ॥ कZ_०७.१७.५४ ॥

Then he should go by another way (change direction/route).

Sutra 55

चक्रचराणां वा शकटवाटैरपगच्छेत् ॥ कZ_०७.१७.५५ ॥

Or he should withdraw by means of cart-enclosures, mingling with those who travel by wheeled conveyances.

Sutra 56

आसन्ने चानुपाते सत्त्रं वा गृह्णीयात् ॥ कZ_०७.१७.५६ ॥

And when pursuit is close at hand, he should take up a sattra (public refuge/hostel/charitable lodging) as shelter.

Sutra 57

सत्त्राभावे हिरण्यं रसविद्धं वा भक्ष्यजातमुभयतःपन्थानमुत्सृजेत् ॥ कZ_०७.१७.५७ ॥

If no safe refuge/aid-station is available, he should abandon gold, or even provisions tainted with poison; and he should give up the road that is dangerous on both sides.

Sutra 58

ततोऽन्यतोऽपगच्छेत् ॥ कZ_०७.१७.५८ ॥

Then he should withdraw and move away by another route/direction.

Sutra 59

गृहीतो वा सामादिभिरनुपातमतिसंदध्यात् रसविद्धेन वा पथ्यदनेन ॥ कZ_०७.१७.५९ ॥

If seized, he should contrive an opening to escape by employing conciliation and the other means (sāma, etc.); or he should act through a ‘wholesome’ food offering that has been poisoned.

Sutra 60

वारुणयोगाग्निदाहेषु वा शरीरमन्यदाधाय शत्रुमभियुञ्जीत पुत्रो मे त्वया हतः इति ॥ कZ_०७.१७.६० ॥

Or, during drowning (by a water-device) or a fire-incident, having substituted another body (to be taken as his), he should confront/attack the enemy, saying: “My son has been killed by you.”

Sutra 61

शीघ्रपातैरपसरेद्गूढप्रणिहितैः सह ॥ कZ_०७.१७.६१ब् ॥

He should withdraw swiftly, together with covertly placed agents.