Vyasanadhikarana Adhyaya 4 Sutra 15 - Arthashastra | Spanish | Vedapath

Kautilya

Sutra 15

Devanagari script

स्वचक्रपीडनं प्रकृतिपुरुषमुख्योपग्रहविघाताभ्यां शक्यते वारयितुमेकदेशं वा पीडयति सर्वदेशपीडनं तु परचक्रं विलोपघातदाहविध्वंसनापवाहनैः पीडयतीति ॥ कZ_०८.४.१५ ॥

Transliteration

svacakrapīḍanaṃ prakṛtipuruṣamukhyopagrahavighātābhyāṃ śakyate vārayitum; ekadeśaṃ vā pīḍayati; sarvadeśapīḍanaṃ tu paracakraṃ vilopaghātadāhavidhvaṃsanāpavāhanaiḥ pīḍayatīti

Translation

La presión causada por el propio poder puede contenerse evitando el daño a los componentes clave y a los principales funcionarios, y bloqueando los “auxiliares”/apegos perjudiciales; puede afligir solo a una parte del país. La presión externa, en cambio, aflige a todo el país mediante saqueo, matanza, incendio, destrucción y el arrastre (de personas y bienes).

Word by Word

स्वचक्रपीडनम्pressure/harassment of one’s own army/realm

प्रकृतिstate-elements (constituents of the polity)

पुरुषmen/agents (personnel)

मुख्यchief/primary (key)

उपग्रहauxiliaries/supports/resources

विघातdisruption/damage

अभ्याम्by/with (instrumental dual ending)

शक्यतेis possible/can be done

वारयितुम्to prevent/ward off

एकदेशम्one part/one region

वाor

पीडयतिharasses/presses

सर्वदेशपीडनम्harassment/pressure of the entire country

तुbut/however

परचक्रम्the enemy’s army/host

विलोपplundering/robbery

घातslaughter/attack

दाहburning/arson

विध्वंसनdestruction/devastation

अपवाहनैःcarrying off/removal

पीडयतिharasses/presses

इतिthus

Entities Mentioned

prakṛti (state constituents)

puruṣa-mukhya (principal officers)

paracakra (external enemy)

FAQs

What is the recommended method to reduce self-inflicted pressure?

Protect the core constituents and principal officers and neutralize harmful ‘attachments’ or influence networks that distort administration.

How does Kautilya differentiate the impact of external attack?

External attack tends to be comprehensive—spreading across the entire territory with violent and economic devastation.