Sutra 2
Devanagari script
समज्यायोभ्यां संधीयेत हीनेन विगृह्णीयात् ॥ कZ_०७.३.०२ ॥
Transliteration
samajyāyobhyāṃ saṃdhīyeta hīnena vigṛhṇīyāt
Translation
One should make peace with an equal or a stronger power; one should make war with a weaker power.
Word by Word
समज्यायोभ्याम्with (those) equal and superior (in strength/status)
समज्यायोभ्याम्:
TypeNoun/Adjective (comparative)
Rootसम + ज्यायस्
Formतृतीया-द्विवचनम् (instrumental dual); comparative adjective used substantively: ‘with two who are equal or superior’
संधीयेतshould make peace / should enter into a treaty
संधीयेत:
TypeVerb
Rootसम् + धा (धातु: धा)
Formविधिलिङ् (optative), आत्मनेपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः एकवचनम्; ‘should make peace/enter into alliance’
हीनेनwith an inferior (weaker party)
हीनेन:
TypeAdjective (used substantively)
Rootहीन
Formतृतीया-एकवचनम् (instrumental singular); ‘with an inferior (one)’
विगृह्णीयात्should engage in hostility / should make war (against)
विगृह्णीयात्:
TypeVerb
Rootवि + ग्रह् (धातु: ग्रह्)
Formविधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः एकवचनम्; ‘should wage hostility/separate/attack’
Entities Mentioned
S
sama (equal power)J
jyāyas (stronger power)H
hīna (weaker power)FAQs
Strategic: it minimizes avoidable losses by discouraging wars with stronger/equal powers while encouraging expansion where odds favor success.