Sutra 15

Devanagari script

उपजापः योगवामनमपसर्पप्रणिधिः पर्युपासनकर्म अवमर्दः लब्धप्रशमनं इति दुर्गलम्भोपायस्त्रयोदशमधिकरणम् ॥ कZ_०१.१.१५ ॥

Transliteration

upajāpaḥ yogavāmanam apasarpa-praṇidhiḥ paryupāsana-karma avamardaḥ labdha-praśamanaṃ iti durga-lambha-upāyās trayodaśam adhikaraṇam

Translation

These are the means for securing (obtaining control of) a fort: sowing dissension, deceptive stratagems, withdrawal and covert placement of agents, surrounding investment and operational measures, assault/pressure, and pacification after acquisition. This constitutes the thirteenth topic-section.

Word by Word

उपजापःsubornation; secret instigation (to create dissension)

योगवामनम्weakening (the enemy) by stratagem/contrivance

अपसर्पप्रणिधिःcovert deployment/planting of spies (with stealthy withdrawal/movement)

पर्युपासनकर्मoperations of close attendance/hovering service (near the target)

अवमर्दःharassment; wearing down

लब्धप्रशमनम्neutralization/appeasement of what has been obtained (i.e., undoing the opponent’s gains)

इतिthus; as follows

दुर्गलम्भोपायाःmeans for obtaining/capturing a fort

त्रयोदशthirteenth

अधिकरणम्section; topic-chapter

Entities Mentioned

Durga (fort)

Praṇidhi (secret agents/spies)

FAQs

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

To provide a state toolkit for capturing a fortified position by combining political subversion, operational maneuver, intelligence deployment, coercive force, and post-capture stabilization—maximizing success while reducing prolonged costs and resistance.

How does this apply to modern governance?

It parallels modern campaign design: shaping the environment (information and influence), using intelligence assets, applying containment and decisive force when required, and prioritizing stabilization after takeover (law-and-order, services, and legitimacy) to prevent insurgency or relapse.

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

The implied duty is to direct a sequenced strategy: employ agents to create fractures and gather actionable intelligence, choose appropriate operational measures (encirclement, maneuver, assault), and then pacify and administer the acquired fort to secure durable control and public order.