स पक्षवांश्चेदनादेयः विपर्यये पर्यादातव्यः ॥ कZ_०२.९.२४ ॥
sa pakṣavāṃś ced anādeyaḥ viparyaye paryādātavyaḥ
S’il dispose d’une faction de soutien, on ne doit pas agir ouvertement contre lui ; dans le cas contraire, on doit le contraindre à restituer (la richesse) par des mesures de recouvrement.
Avoid direct, public action when the target has strong backing; use indirect methods or wait for conditions that reduce political blowback.
When the official lacks factional protection; then the state can compel restitution and proceed more directly.