Sutra 43
Devanagari script
मित्रभूतः सपत्नानां हत्वा हत्वा च संवृतः ॥ कZ_०७.१३.४३च्द् ॥
Transliteration
mitrabhūtaḥ sapatnānāṃ hatvā hatvā ca saṃvṛtaḥ
Translation
போட்டியாளர்களுக்கு ‘நண்பன்’ போல இருந்து அவர்களை மீண்டும் மீண்டும் தாக்கி, பின்னர் பாதுகாப்புடன்/மறைவுடன் இருந்து (நடவடிக்கையை) பாதுகாக்க வேண்டும்.
Word by Word
मित्रभूतःhaving become (appearing as) a friend
मित्रभूतः:
TypeParticiple (Verbal adjective)
Rootभू
Formपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; भूत (क्त) कृदन्तः; मित्र-भूतः = मित्रः इव/मित्ररूपेण भूतः
सपत्नानाम्of the rivals/enemies
सपत्नानाम्:
TypeNoun
Rootसपत्न
Formपुंलिङ्गः, षष्ठी-बहुवचनम्
हत्वाhaving killed
हत्वा:
TypeGerund (Absolutive)
Rootहन्
Formक्त्वान्त अव्ययम्; पूर्वकर्म-निर्देशः
हत्वाhaving killed again (repeatedly)
हत्वा:
TypeGerund (Absolutive)
Rootहन्
Formक्त्वान्त अव्ययम्; पुनरुक्त्या पुनःपुनः/क्रमशः वधः सूचितः
चand
च:
TypeParticle
Rootच
Formसमुच्चयार्थक अव्ययम्
संवृतःconcealed, kept covered/hidden
संवृतः:
TypeParticiple (Verbal adjective)
Rootवृ (वृञ्/वृ)
Formपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; क्त (भूतकर्मणि) कृदन्तः; उपसर्गः सम्-; अर्थः ‘संवृत/आवृत/गुप्त’
Entities Mentioned
M
mitra (ally/friend—apparent)S
sapatna (rival)FAQs
It signals strategic role-play: presenting as an ally to gain access/leverage, not genuine friendship—an intelligence/diplomatic posture.
Kautilya treats post-action security as essential: concealment, force protection, and controlled messaging to prevent backlash and counter-action.