द्विगुणो द्वितीयं त्रिगुनस्तृतीयम् ॥ कZ_०७.१८.०९ ॥
dviguṇo dvitīyaṃ triguṇas tṛtīyam
दुसरा (मित्र) ते दुप्पट करतो; तिसरा तिप्पट करतो।
It functions as strategic shorthand: additional reliable partners increase capability disproportionately by adding troops, fronts, logistics, and legitimacy.