Sutra 16

Devanagari script

अभियोगे गूढबलैर्घातयेयुः मदनरसयुक्तेन वा पथ्यदनेन ॥ कZ_०४.५.१६ ॥

Transliteration

abhiyoge gūḍhabalair ghātayeyuḥ madanarasa-yuktena vā pathya-danena

Translation

When a charge/engagement is initiated, they should have them slain by concealed forces; or (alternatively) by administering wholesome food mixed with madana-juice (a stupefying/poisonous substance).

Word by Word

• अभियोगे: in/under an accusation (in a case of prosecution)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभियोग
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; एकवचन; सप्तमी (अधिकरण)

• गूढबलैः: by covert forces / with hidden agents
• Type: Noun
• Root: गूढबल
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (बल); बहुवचन; तृतीया (करण)

• घातयेयुः: they should cause (him) to be killed / have (him) slain
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन् (घातयति)
• Form: णिच् (causative) प्रयोग; विधिलिङ्/आशीर्लिङ्; परस्मैपदम्; प्रथमपुरुष; बहुवचन

• मदनरसयुक्तेन: with food mixed with madana-juice (a drug/juice)
• Type: Adjective (used substantively)
• Root: मदनरसयुक्त
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; एकवचन; तृतीया (करण); (पथ्यदनं विशेषयति)

• वा: or
• Type: Particle
• Root: वा
• Form: विकल्पार्थक निपात

• पथ्यदनेन: by (means of) wholesome food / suitable food (as a vehicle)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पथ्यदन
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; एकवचन; तृतीया (करण)

Entities Mentioned

• concealed forces
• targeted criminals (implied)

More Details

FAQs

What does this sutra suggest about the state’s escalation ladder?

It authorizes moving from surveillance/entrapment to decisive neutralization when an operation is underway and the threat warrants it.

Why mention concealed forces and drugged food as alternatives?

They represent two covert modalities—direct ambush by hidden units or incapacitation/poison-delivery—chosen for feasibility and risk control.