Vyasanadhikarana Adhyaya 2 Sutra 13 - Arthashastra | French | Vedapath

Kautilya

Sutra 13

Devanagari script

व्याधितो नवो वा राजेति व्याधितो राजा राज्योपघातममात्यमूलं प्राणाबाधं वा राज्यमूलमवाप्नोति नवस्तु राजा स्वधर्मानुग्रहपरिहारदानमानकर्मभिः प्रकृतिरञ्जनोपकारैश्चरति इत्याचार्याः ॥ कZ_०८.२.१३ ॥

Transliteration

vyādhito navo vā rājeti vyādhito rājā rājyopaghātam amātyamūlaṃ prāṇābādhaṃ vā rājyamūlam avāpnoti navaḥ tu rājā svadharmānugraha-parihāra-dāna-māna-karmabhiḥ prakṛtirañjanopakāraiś carati ity ācāryāḥ

Translation

«Un roi malade ou un roi nouveau», disent les maîtres. Un roi malade subit un préjudice pour l’État—soit provenant des ministres—ou une menace contre sa vie qui atteint la racine même de la souveraineté. Un roi nouveau, en revanche, avance par des mesures qui gagnent les éléments constitutifs : agir selon son devoir, accorder des faveurs, alléger les charges, faire des dons et conférer des honneurs.

Word by Word

व्याधितः(a king) who is ill / afflicted

नवःnew (i.e., newly installed)

वाor

राजाthe king

इतिthus

व्याधितःthe ill (king)

राजाthe king

राज्योपघातम्harm/damage to the kingdom

अमात्यमूलम्having its root in the ministers / rooted in the ministerial establishment

प्राणाबाधम्injury/threat to life

वाor

राज्यमूलम्the root/foundation of the kingdom

अवाप्नोतिattains / incurs

नवःthe new (king)

तुbut

राजाthe king

स्वधर्मानुग्रहपरिहारदानमानकर्मभिःby acts such as upholding his own duty, showing favour, granting relief, giving gifts, and conferring honour

प्रकृतिरञ्जनोपकारैःby benefits that win over/conciliate the subjects (state elements)

चरतिacts / conducts himself

इतिthus

आचार्याःthe teachers/authorities (say)

Entities Mentioned

king

ministers

prakṛtis (state constituents)

FAQs

What are the two core risks of a sick king identified here?

State injury driven by ministerial maneuvering and direct threats to the king’s life—both undermining the foundations of rule.

What is the recommended consolidation toolkit for a new king?

Dharma-aligned conduct plus practical conciliation: favors, relief/remissions, gifts, and honors to win over the prakṛtis.