Sutra 18

Devanagari script

अप्रतिकार्यासन्नव्यसनो वा ज्यायानपि संश्रयेत ॥ कZ_०७.३.१८ ॥

Transliteration

apratikāryāsannavyasano vā jyāyān api saṃśrayeta

Translation

Lorsqu’on est incapable de riposter, ou qu’on est proche d’un désastre, il faut chercher protection (prendre refuge) même auprès d’une puissance plus forte.

Word by Word

• अप्रतिकार्य: irremediable; not capable of being counteracted
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रति√कृ
• Form: प्रातिपदिक; नपुंसकलिङ्गे एकवचनम् (विशेषणम्)

• आसन्न: imminent; near at hand
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √सद् (सीद्)
• Form: प्रातिपदिक; नपुंसकलिङ्गे एकवचनम् (विशेषणम्)

• व्यसनः: calamity; grave misfortune
• Type: Noun
• Root: √अस् (अस्ति)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचनम्

• वा: or
• Type: Particle
• Root: /
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक

• ज्यायान्: stronger; superior
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्यायस्
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचनम्; तुलनात्मक (comparative)

• अपि: even; also
• Type: Particle
• Root: /
• Form: अव्यय; अपि = even/also

• संश्रयेत: should seek refuge; should take shelter (of)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्+√श्रि
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative); परस्मैपदम्; प्रथमपुरुषः एकवचनम्; लट्-आदेशे विध्यर्थः

Entities Mentioned

• king (implicitly)
• stronger power (jyāyān)

More Details

FAQs

What is the policy recommendation when the state cannot retaliate against an aggressor?

Kauṭilya advises seeking shelter with a stronger power—i.e., entering a protective relationship rather than risking annihilation.

What condition triggers this advice besides military weakness?

Impending calamity (āsanna-vyasana): a crisis where delay or pride would endanger state survival.