Indian Antiquary Vol 39

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 25

JANUARY, 1910.]
THE ARTHASASTRA OF CHANAKYA.
19
THE ARTHASASTRA OF CHANAKYA (BOOKS V - XV)
Translated by
R. SHAMASASTRY, B.A.,
Librarian, Government Oriental Library, Mysore.
[Note. The first four books have been published in the Mysore Review, 1906-1908.] (Continued from Vol. XXXVIII, p. 310.)
Chapter V.
Considerations about marching against an assailable enemy and a strong enemy; canses leading to the dwindling, greed, and disloyalty of the army; and considerations about the combination of powers. (Yatavyamitrayorabhigrahachinta kshayalobhaviragahetavah prakritinam.
Samavayikaviparimariah.)
When two enemies, one an assailable enemy and another a strong enemy, are equally involved in troubles, which of them is to be marched against first ?
The strong enemy is to be marched against first; after vanquishing him, the assailable enemy is to be attacked, for, when a strong enemy has been vanquished, an assailable enemy will volunteer of his own accord to help the conqueror; but not so, a strong enemy.
Which is to be marched against? An assailable enemy involved in troubles to a greater degree or a strong enemy troubled to a lesser degree?
My teacher says that as a matter of easy conquest, the assailable enemy under worse troubles should be marched against first.
Not so, says Kautilya: The conqueror should march against the strong enemy under less troubles, for the troubles of the strong enemy, though less, will be augmented when attacked. True, that the worse troubles of the assailable enemy will be still worse when attacked. But when left to himself, the strong enemy under less troubles will endeavour to get rid of his troubles and unite with the assailable enemy or with another enemy in the rear of the conqueror.
When there are two assailable enemies, one of virtuous character and under worse troubles, and another of vicious character, under less troubles, and with disloyal subjects, which of them is to be marched against first?
When the enemy of virtuous character and under worse troubles is attacked, his subjects will help him; whereas, the subjects of the other of vicious character and under less troubles will be indifferent. Disloyal or indifferent subjects will endeavour to destroy even a strong king. Hence the conqueror should march against that enemy whose subjects are disloyal.
Which is to be marched against? An ene ny whose subjects are impoverished and greedy? or an enemy whose subjects are being oppressed?