Sutra 26

Devanagari script

साधयेद्गूढमित्येते दण्डोपनतसंधयः ॥ कZ_०७.३.२६च्द् ॥

Transliteration

sādhayed gūḍham ity ete daṇḍopanatasaṃdhayaḥ

Translation

These are treaties brought about by force; one should accomplish them covertly (with concealment and controlled disclosure).

Word by Word

• साधयेत्: should accomplish / should bring about
• Type: Verb
• Root: साध्
• Form: लोट् (आज्ञार्थे), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; धातुः साध् (साधने)

• गूढम्: secret(ly) / concealed (measure)
• Type: Adjective (used substantively)
• Root: गुह्
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गम्, एकवचनम्, द्वितीया (कर्मपदम्); कृदन्त-विशेषणम् (गूढ = गुप्त/प्रच्छन्न)

• इति: thus; ‘so’ (quotative)
• Type: Particle
• Root: इति
• Form: निपातः; उक्त्यर्थे/उद्धरण-समाप्तौ

• एते: these
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: एतद्
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, बहुवचनम्, प्रथमा

• दण्डोपनतसंधयः: alliances/treaties that have been brought about by coercion (force)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संधि
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, बहुवचनम्, प्रथमा; समासः = दण्ड-उपनत-संधयः (दण्डेन उपनताः संधयः)

Entities Mentioned

• daṇḍa (coercive power)
• covert agents (implicit)

More Details

FAQs

Why does Kautilya advise covertly securing a coercion-induced treaty?

To prevent backlash, coalition-building by the coerced party, and premature disclosure that could trigger resistance or external intervention.