Sutra 25

Devanagari script

मध्यमोदासीनयोर्यो मण्डलस्याभिप्रेतस्तमाश्रयेत ॥ कZ_०७.१८.२५ ॥

Transliteration

madhyamodāsīnayor yo maṇḍalasyābhipretas tam āśrayeta

Translation

Between the ‘middle king’ (madhyama) and the neutral (udāsīna), one should take refuge in (align with) the one who is acceptable/preferable to the circle of states (maṇḍala) for one’s strategic objective.

Word by Word

• मध्यम: the ‘middle’ king (a mandala-type ruler, comparable in power)
• Type: Noun/Adjective
• Root: मध्यम
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम् (विशेषण/संज्ञा), पुंलिङ्गे (मध्यमः इति अर्थे)

• उदासीनयोः: of the two neutral (indifferent) kings
• Type: Noun/Adjective
• Root: उदासीन
• Form: षष्ठी-द्विवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गम् (उदासीनः)

• यः: who/which (one)
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: यद्
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गम्

• मण्डलस्य: of the mandala (circle of kings)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मण्डल
• Form: षष्ठी-एकवचनम्, नपुंसकलिङ्गम्

• अभिप्रेतः: preferred; desirable; advantageous
• Type: Participle (verbal adjective)
• Root: अभि-√इ (इच्छार्थे) → अभिप्रेत
• Form: कृदन्तः (भूतकर्मणि/निष्ठा-प्रत्ययान्तः), प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गम्; अर्थः—इष्टः/अभिलषितः/अनुकूलः

• तम्: him/that one
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: द्वितीया-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गम्

• आश्रयेत: should take refuge in / should align with / should seek support of
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-√श्रि
• Form: लोट्-लकारः (विधिलिङ्/आज्ञार्थे), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; विध्यर्थः—‘आश्रयेत’ = आश्रयं कुर्यात्/समाश्रयेत्

Entities Mentioned

• madhyama (middle king)
• udāsīna (neutral king)
• maṇḍala (circle of states)

More Details

FAQs

What is the administrative intent of ‘āśrayeta’ here?

It directs a ruler to formalize dependence/association—diplomatic shelter, alliance, or protection—under whichever of the two powers best serves the system-level strategic requirement.

Why invoke ‘maṇḍala’ rather than personal preference?

Because Kautilya frames alliance choice as system-structured: select the partner whose position in the regional balance makes your objective feasible and sustainable.