Sutra 14

Devanagari script

तमर्थेनाभ्यवपद्येत ॥ कZ_१२.१.१४ ॥

Transliteration

tamarthenābhyavapadyeta

Translation

ധനം (പണമടവ്) മുഖേന അവനോട് കീഴടങ്ങണം.

Word by Word

• तम्: him/that (person/thing)
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: sarvanāma-śabda; accusative singular; masculine/neuter (context-dependent)

• अर्थेन: by/with a purpose; by means of interest/advantage
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ
• Form: masculine; instrumental singular

• अभ्यवपद्येत: should approach/resort to (him)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-अव-पद्
• Form: 3rd person singular; optative (vidhi-liṅ); parasmaipada; present-system formation; meaning: 'to approach/resort to/submit oneself'

More Details

FAQs

How is ‘wealth’ used as a strategic tool here?

As a cheaper substitute for battlefield losses—paying to avert invasion, shorten war, or redirect the aggressor elsewhere.

What safeguards should accompany such payments (Arthashastra logic)?

Treat it as temporary: rebuild power, improve defenses, and avoid signaling permanent weakness that invites repeated extortion.