कुपितमूलभिन्नगर्भयोः कुपितमूलं प्रशमितकोपं सामादिभिर्युध्येत न भिन्नगर्भमन्योन्यस्माद्भिन्नम् ॥ कZ_०८.५.१० ॥
kupitamūlabhinnagarbhayoḥ kupitamūlaṃ praśamitakopaṃ sāmādibhir yudhyeta na bhinnagarbham anyonyasmād bhinnam
कुपितमूलभिन्नगर्भयोः कुपितमूलं प्रशमितकोपं सामादिभिर्युध्येत; न भिन्नगर्भम्—अन्योन्यस्माद्भिन्नत्वात्।
Because internal fragmentation makes the enemy self-weakening; direct battle is unnecessary when collapse or defection can be induced.
Stabilize the opponent’s emotional volatility via diplomacy/inducements so the ruler controls escalation and chooses timing.