Arthashastra — Abhiyasyatkarma, Sutra 16

Devanagari script

उदासीनस्य दण्डानुग्रहः फलेन अर्थो निरनुबन्धः ॥ कZ_०९.७.१६ ॥

Transliteration

udāsīnasya daṇḍānugrahaḥ phalena artho niranubandhaḥ

Translation

ਉਦਾਸੀਨ (ਤਟਸਥ) ਪੱਖ ਪ੍ਰਤੀ ਦੰਡ ਜਾਂ ਅਨੁਗ੍ਰਹ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ ਸਿਰਫ਼ ਤੁਰੰਤ ਨਤੀਜੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਲਾਭ ਹੈ; ਅੱਗੇ ਕੋਈ ਅਨੁਬੰਧ ਨਹੀਂ।

Word by Word

• उदासीनस्य: of the neutral (king/party)
• Type: Noun/Adjective
• Root: उदासीन
• Form: षष्ठी-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्ग (प्रायः); विशेष्य-सम्बन्धः (of the neutral/indifferent party)

• दण्ड: punishment/force
• Type: Noun
• Root: दण्ड
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम् (समासपूर्वपदम्)

• अनुग्रहः: favor/support
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनुग्रह
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्ग; (दण्ड + अनुग्रह) इति द्वन्द्वार्थ-समाहारः (as a pair: coercion and favor)

• फलेन: by (its) result/outcome
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल
• Form: तृतीया-एकवचनम्, नपुंसकलिङ्ग; करण/हेतु-अर्थे (by/through the result)

• अर्थः: the benefit/point (is)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्ग; कर्तृ/विषय (the point/meaning/benefit is...)

• निरनुबन्धः: without subsequent consequences/attachments
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निरनुबन्ध
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्ग; अर्थः इति विशेषणम् (qualifying ‘arthaḥ’)

Entities Mentioned

• udāsīna

More Details

FAQs

What does ‘benefit without sequel’ imply for policy?

It is tactical and finite; do it when you need an immediate effect, but don’t expect durable alignment or compounding gains.

What niti concept is implied?

Not all actions create lasting leverage; distinguish one-time results from strategic transformations.