Vyasanadhikarana Adhyaya 2 Sutra 5 - Arthashastra | English | Vedapath

Kautilya

Sutra 5

Devanagari script

द्वैराज्यवैराज्ययोर्द्वैराज्यमन्योन्यपक्षद्वेषानुरागाभ्यां परस्परसंघर्षेण वा विनश्यति वैराज्यं तु प्रकृतिचित्तग्रहणापेक्षि यथास्थितमन्यैर्भुज्यते इत्याचार्याः ॥ कZ_०८.२.०५ ॥

Transliteration

dvairājyavairājyayordvairājyamanyonyapakṣadveṣānurāgābhyāṃ parasparasaṃgharṣeṇa vā vinaśyati vairājyaṃ tu prakṛticittagrahaṇāpekṣi yathāsthitamanyairbhujyate ityācāryāḥ

Translation

Of dual kingship and kingless rule: dual kingship perishes through mutual factional hatred and favoritism, or through direct conflict with each other; but kingless rule, being dependent on winning over the minds of the state-elements, remains as it is and is enjoyed (appropriated) by others—so say the teachers.

Word by Word

द्वैराज्य-वैराज्ययोःof (the situations of) dual-kingship and single-sovereignty

द्वैराज्यम्dual-kingship

अन्योन्य-पक्ष-द्वेष-अनुरागाभ्याम्through mutual factional hatred and attachment (partiality)

परस्पर-संघर्षेणor by mutual conflict

वाor

विनश्यतिperishes / collapses

वैराज्यम्single sovereignty (one-man rule)

तुbut

प्रकृति-चित्त-ग्रहण-अपेक्षिdependent on winning over the minds (loyalty) of the constituent elements (of the state)

यथा-स्थितम्remaining as it is (stable)

अन्यैःby others

भुज्यतेis enjoyed/appropriated (controlled)

इतिthus

आचार्याःthe teachers (authorities)

Entities Mentioned

dual kingship

interregnum/kinglessness

factions

prakṛtis (state elements)

ācāryas (teachers)

FAQs

What is the key failure mode of dual kingship according to this passage?

Factional polarization and mutual conflict between the two centers of authority, leading to collapse.

What is the key risk of kingless rule (interregnum)?

In the absence of decisive sovereign direction, others can win over state-elements and appropriate control and benefits of the state.