Shloka 9
सान्त्व-निति: (Sāntva-Nīti) — The One-Word Principle of Conciliation
Devanagari script
तस्मात् सान्त्व॑ प्रयोक्तव्यं दण्डमाधित्सतो5पि हि । फल॑ं च जनयत्येवं न चास्योद्धिजते जन:
Transliteration
tasmāt sāntvaṁ prayoktavyaṁ daṇḍam ādhitsato 'pi hi | phalaṁ ca janayaty evaṁ na cāsyoddvijate janaḥ ||
Translation
因此，即便国王意欲施罚，也应先以抚慰调和之柔言相告。如此行之，既能达成其所欲，而众人亦不因他而惊惧骚动。
Word by Word
तस्मात्therefore/from that
तस्मात्:
Apadana
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine/Neuter, Ablative, Singular
सान्त्वम्conciliation/soothing speech
सान्त्वम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootसान्त्व
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
प्रयोक्तव्यम्should be employed/should be used
प्रयोक्तव्यम्:
Karma
TypeVerb
Rootप्र-युज्
Formतव्यत् (gerundive), Passive sense (obligation), Neuter, Nominative, Singular
दण्डम्punishment/rod
दण्डम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootदण्ड
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
आधित्सतःof one wishing to inflict/place (punishment)
आधित्सतः:
Adhikarana
TypeVerb
Rootआ-धा
Formसन् (desiderative) + शतृ (present active participle), Masculine/Neuter, Genitive, Singular
अपिeven/also
अपि:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअपि
हिindeed/for
हि:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootहि
फलम्result/fruit
फलम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootफल
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
चand
च:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootच
जनयतिproduces/generates
जनयति:
TypeVerb
Rootजन्
FormLat (Present), Parasmaipada, 3rd, Singular
एवम्thus/in this way
एवम्:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootएवम्
नnot
न:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootन
चand
च:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootच
अस्यof him/of this (person)
अस्य:
Sampradana
TypePronoun
Rootइदम्
FormMasculine/Neuter, Genitive, Singular
उद्विजतेis agitated/is distressed
उद्विजते:
TypeVerb
Rootउद्-विज्
FormLat (Present), Atmanepada, 3rd, Singular
जनःpeople/a person
जनः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootजन
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
अतःtherefore/for this reason
अतः:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअतः
Speaker
शक्र उवाच
Characters & Entities
Ś
Śakra (Indra)K
king (rājā)P
people (jana)Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
Even when punishment is warranted, a ruler should begin with conciliatory, sweet, calming speech; it achieves the intended end while avoiding needless fear and resentment among the people.
Śakra (Indra) is instructing on rāja-dharma: he advises that governance should prioritize pacification and measured communication, using punishment without harshness so that order is maintained without unsettling the populace.