Sutra 14

Devanagari script

मन्त्रशक्तिः श्रेयसी ॥ कZ_०९.१.१४ ॥

Transliteration

mantraśaktiḥ śreyasī

Translation

മന്ത്രശക്തി (ആലോചന/തന്ത്രശക്തി) ശ്രേഷ്ഠമാണ്।

Word by Word

• मन्त्रशक्तिः: the power/strength of counsel (statecraft through deliberation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र + शक्ति
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचन; शक्ति-शब्दः (इकारान्त-स्त्री); समासे ‘मन्त्रस्य शक्तिः’ इति षष्ठीसम्बन्धः

• श्रेयसी: superior; more beneficial; preferable
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रेयस्
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचन; श्रेयस्-शब्दस्य स्त्रीरूपम्; विशेषणम्—‘मन्त्रशक्तिः’ इत्यस्य

Entities Mentioned

• king
• ministers/council (implicit)

More Details

FAQs

Why does this appear to contradict 9.1.10?

The chapter is presenting and weighing competing doctrinal positions; Kautilya often cites views and then resolves them through a comparative synthesis later (see 9.1.16).

What is ‘mantraśakti’ in practical administrative terms?

Institutionalized deliberation, intelligence, planning, secrecy, and coordinated decision processes that shape outcomes before force is applied.