15.011
Dhritarashtra said.
You should understand the circles of others and yourself, as well as the qualities of the neutrals and the intermediates likewise. (15-11-1)
O subduer of foes, you should discern among all the four kinds of enemies and aggressors, which are the friend and which is the false friend. (15-11-2)
In the same way, O best of Kurus, the ministers, districts, fortresses, difficult terrains, and forces of these people are as they desire. (15-11-3)
And those twelve types, O son of Kuntī, of kings indeed are of various natures; and there are sixty plus twelve qualities of ministerial leaders, O lord. (15-11-4)
Teachers who are experts in policy call this the circle. Here, the sixfold policy is dependent upon it; Yudhiṣṭhira, know this. (15-11-5)
O delight of the Kurus, increase and decrease and the situation (are) to be understood, O mighty-armed, in the context of seventy-two types, then (applied to) those who follow the six-fold policy. (15-11-6)
When both one's own side and the enemy are of equal strength, O son of Kunti, then the king should, after fighting the enemies, advance. But when one's own side is weak, then he should resort to making alliances. (15-11-7)
The accumulation of wealth should indeed be undertaken, and it should be considerable. When one is capable of departing, O Bhārata, it should not be long delayed. (15-11-8)
Then all should be assigned together, and a place should not be divided. Land of little yield should be given to the opposing party, O Bhārata. (15-11-9)
A person skilled in alliances should not himself accept either gold that is primarily merchandise, or a friend who is impoverished like someone with no treasury, or things of contrary nature. (15-11-10)
For the sake of conciliation you should seek the prince too, O best of the Bharatas; but in the contrary case, the son is not to be given to you in any calamity. For his release, make every effort, knowing means and strategy. (15-11-11)
O son of Kunti, the king should consider even the weakest among his ministers. He should, in order, also discern the relative strengths and weaknesses of calamities when they arise together. (15-11-12)
Afflicting, restraining, and breaking the treasury of enemies likewise—these actions should be performed with effort by one who himself protects his own kingdom. (15-11-13)
And a vassal who has approached (submitted) should not be harmed by one seeking increase; O Kaunteya, one who desires to conquer the earth should not harm him. (15-11-14)
You should, together with your ministers, form alliances in dividing groups. Likewise, by assembling the virtuous and restraining the wicked. (15-11-15)
O tiger among kings, you should always remain having assumed the conduct of the bamboo, not oppressing the weak by your strength. (15-11-16)
If thus a strong king approaches a weak one, he should gradually make him withdraw using conciliation and other means. (15-11-17)
But if unable for battle, he should go out along with his ministers, treasury, citizens, means of punishment, and others who are well-wishers. (15-11-18)
But if (the path) for all is impossible, then it would proceed according to the principal (order); by this sequence, liberation would arise, and the body alone would remain. (15-11-19)
