Sutra 3

Devanagari script

सामदानाभ्यां दुर्बलानुपनमयेत्भेददण्डाभ्यां बलवतः ॥ कZ_०७.१६.०३ ॥

Transliteration

sāmadānābhyāṃ durbalānupanamayet bhedadaṇḍābhyāṃ balavataḥ

Translation

Il doit rallier les faibles par la conciliation et les dons ; les forts, par la division et la force.

Word by Word

• सामदानाभ्याम्: by conciliation and by gifts (inducements)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साम; दान
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे द्विवचनम्, तृतीया-विभक्तिः (करणम्)

• दुर्बलान्: the weak (ones)
• Type: Adjective (used substantively)
• Root: दुर्बल
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे बहुवचनम्, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (कर्म)

• उपनमयेत्: should win over / should bring under control
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-नी (नयति)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; causative sense in usage: ‘cause to come over/bring under’

• भेददण्डाभ्याम्: by dissension and by force/punishment
• Type: Noun
• Root: भेद; दण्ड
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्विवचनम्, तृतीया-विभक्तिः (करणम्)

• बलवतः: of the strong (one)
• Type: Adjective (used substantively)
• Root: बलवत्
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे एकवचनम्, षष्ठी-विभक्तिः (सम्बन्धः)

Entities Mentioned

• weak polities/actors
• strong polities/actors

More Details

FAQs

Why are different upāyas assigned to weak vs strong actors?

Weak actors can be absorbed cheaply through persuasion and incentives; strong actors resist inducement, so they are better neutralized by fracturing coalitions and applying calibrated coercion.

What is the policy risk if force is used against the weak?

It can be fiscally wasteful and politically counterproductive, generating unnecessary hostility and instability.