Sutra 3

Devanagari script

महाकुलीनो दैवबुद्धिसत्त्वसम्पन्नो वृद्धदर्शी धार्मिकः सत्यवागविसंवादकः कृतज्ञः स्थूललक्षो महोत्साहोऽदीर्घसूत्रः शक्यसामन्तो दृढबुद्धिरक्षुद्रपरिषत्को विनयकाम इत्याभिगामिका गुणाः ॥ कZ_०६.१.०३ ॥

Transliteration

mahākulīno daivabuddhisattvasampanno vṛddhadarśī dhārmikaḥ satyavāgavisaṃvādakaḥ kṛtajñaḥ sthūlalakṣo mahotsāho'dīrghasūtraḥ śakyasāmanto dṛḍhabuddhir akṣudrapariṣatko vinayakāma ity ābhigāmikā guṇāḥ

Translation

统治者应当：出身显赫；具备良好判断与勇气；通晓长者之见与经验；奉持法（dharma）；言语真实、行事一致；知恩感德；具有清晰而坚实的能力标志；精力充沛；不拖延；能管理并整合诸侯/封臣；意志坚定；有一支称职（不狭隘）的议事团辅佐；并倾向于纪律与自我克制——这些就是 ābhigāmika（赢得人心）的品质。

Word by Word

महाकुलीनःof noble/high lineage

दैवबुद्धि-सत्त्व-सम्पन्नःendowed with providential insight and courage/fortitude

वृद्धदर्शीone who consults/observes elders (experienced persons)

धार्मिकःrighteous; law-abiding

सत्यवाक्truth-speaking

अविसंवादकःnon-deceptive; not given to contradiction or breach of promise

कृतज्ञःgrateful; mindful of benefits received

स्थूललक्षःone who keeps the main objective in view; broad-minded in aims

महोत्साहःhighly energetic; of great initiative

अदीर्घसूत्रःnot procrastinating; prompt in action

शक्यसामन्तःcapable regarding frontier vassals—able to manage/bring neighbouring chiefs under control

दृढबुद्धिःfirm-minded; resolute in judgment

अक्षुद्रपरिषत्कःnot having a petty/mean council; attended by a worthy advisory body

विनयकामःfond of discipline and good conduct; trainable

इतिthus

आभिगामिकाः(these are) winning/approachable qualities

गुणाःqualities

Entities Mentioned

svāmin (ruler)

pariṣad (council)

sāmanta (feudatory/neighboring chief)

FAQs

What does Kauṭilya mean by ābhigāmika qualities in this context?

They are ruler-traits that generate acceptance and confidence—social legitimacy, moral credibility, decisiveness, and the ability to work with power-holders like councils and feudatories.

Why is ‘avisaṃvādaka’ (consistency) politically important?

Consistency reduces uncertainty for officials and subjects, improves compliance, and prevents credibility loss that rivals can exploit.