Vyasanadhikarana Adhyaya 2 Sutra 13 - Arthashastra | English | Vedapath

Kautilya

Sutra 13

Devanagari script

व्याधितो नवो वा राजेति व्याधितो राजा राज्योपघातममात्यमूलं प्राणाबाधं वा राज्यमूलमवाप्नोति नवस्तु राजा स्वधर्मानुग्रहपरिहारदानमानकर्मभिः प्रकृतिरञ्जनोपकारैश्चरति इत्याचार्याः ॥ कZ_०८.२.१३ ॥

Transliteration

vyādhito navo vā rājeti vyādhito rājā rājyopaghātam amātyamūlaṃ prāṇābādhaṃ vā rājyamūlam avāpnoti navaḥ tu rājā svadharmānugraha-parihāra-dāna-māna-karmabhiḥ prakṛtirañjanopakāraiś carati ity ācāryāḥ

Translation

“A sick king or a new king,” say the teachers. A sick king incurs harm to the state—either originating from ministers—or a threat to life that strikes at the root of sovereignty. A new king, however, proceeds by measures that win over the constituent elements: acting in line with his duty, granting favors, remitting burdens, giving gifts, and bestowing honors.

Word by Word

व्याधितः(a king) who is ill / afflicted

नवःnew (i.e., newly installed)

वाor

राजाthe king

इतिthus

व्याधितःthe ill (king)

राजाthe king

राज्योपघातम्harm/damage to the kingdom

अमात्यमूलम्having its root in the ministers / rooted in the ministerial establishment

प्राणाबाधम्injury/threat to life

वाor

राज्यमूलम्the root/foundation of the kingdom

अवाप्नोतिattains / incurs

नवःthe new (king)

तुbut

राजाthe king

स्वधर्मानुग्रहपरिहारदानमानकर्मभिःby acts such as upholding his own duty, showing favour, granting relief, giving gifts, and conferring honour

प्रकृतिरञ्जनोपकारैःby benefits that win over/conciliate the subjects (state elements)

चरतिacts / conducts himself

इतिthus

आचार्याःthe teachers/authorities (say)

Entities Mentioned

king

ministers

prakṛtis (state constituents)

FAQs

What are the two core risks of a sick king identified here?

State injury driven by ministerial maneuvering and direct threats to the king’s life—both undermining the foundations of rule.

What is the recommended consolidation toolkit for a new king?

Dharma-aligned conduct plus practical conciliation: favors, relief/remissions, gifts, and honors to win over the prakṛtis.