Sutra 16

Devanagari script

परबलघातप्रयोगः प्रलम्भनं स्वबलोपघातप्रतीकारः इत्यौपनिषदिकं चतुर्दशमधिकरणम् ॥ कZ_०१.१.१६ ॥

Transliteration

parabalaghātaprayogaḥ pralambhanaṃ svabalopaghātapratīkāraḥ ity aupaniṣadikaṃ caturdaśam adhikaraṇam

Translation

« Emploi de mesures pour abattre une force ennemie ; tromperie (appât/piège) ; et contre-mesures face à l’affaiblissement de ses propres forces » — tels sont le quatorzième sujet sous l’Aupaniṣadika (méthodes secrètes).

Word by Word

परबलघातप्रयोगःapplication/employment (of measures) for striking the enemy’s forces

प्रलम्भनम्deception; deluding/enticing (as a tactic)

स्वबलोपघातप्रतीकारःcountermeasure/remedy against damage to one’s own forces

इतिthus; so (marking the end of the enumeration)

औपनिषदिकम्(the section) called Aupaniṣadika; relating to ‘Aupaniṣadika’

चतुर्दशम्fourteenth

अधिकरणम्topic/section (adhikaraṇa)

Entities Mentioned

para-bala (enemy force)

sva-bala (own force)

FAQs

What is the strategic objective (Artha) of this verse?

To define a core cluster of clandestine and operational priorities: degrading enemy capability, using deception to gain advantage, and preventing or reversing attrition to one’s own forces—serving the state’s security and stability.

How does this apply to modern governance?

It maps to modern national security practice: offensive operations against adversary capabilities, lawful strategic deception and counterintelligence, and resilience planning to mitigate force degradation (readiness, morale, logistics, and protection against sabotage).

What is the specific duty of the ruler/official mentioned?

No specific office is named; the implied duty of the king and security apparatus is to authorize and coordinate: (1) operations that neutralize enemy forces, (2) deception-based stratagems to shape adversary behavior, and (3) protective countermeasures to preserve and restore one’s own military power.