Indian Antiquary Vol 39

SR No.: 032531
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 418
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 16 MB

Page 53

THE ARTHASASTRA OF CHANAKYA.
FEBRUARY, 1910.]
Which is better, a small piece of land, not far, or an extensive piece of land, very far?
A small piece of land, not far, is better, inasmuch as it can be easily acquired, protected, and defended, whereas the other is of a reverse nature.
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Of the above two kinds of laud, which is better, that which can be maintained by itself, or that which requires external armed force to maintain ?
The former is better, as it can be maintained with the army and money produced by itself, whereas the latter is of a reverse character as a military station.
Which is better, acquisition of land from a stupid or a wise king?
That acquired fron a stupid king is better, as it can be easily acquired and secured, and cannot be taken back, whereas that obtained from a wise king, beloved of his subjects, is of a reverse nature.
Of two enemies, of whom one can only be harassed and another is reducible, acquisition of land from the latter is better; for when the latter is attacked, he, having little or no help, begins to run away, taking his army and treasure with him, and he is deserted by his subjects; whereas the former does not do so, as he has the help of his forts and friends.
Of two fortified kings, one who has his forts on a plain is more easily reduced than the other owning a fort in the centre of a river; for a fort in a plain can be easily assailed, destroyed or captured along with the enemy in it, whereas a fort, surrounded by a river requires twice as much effort to capture and supplies the enemy with water and other necessaries of life.
Of two kings, one owning a fort surrounded by a river, and another having mountainous fortifications, seizing the former's land is better, for a fort in the centre of a river can be assailed by a bridge formed of elephants made to stand in a row in the river or by wooden bridges, or by means of boats; and the river will not always be deep and can be emptied of its water, whereas a fort on a mountain is of a self-defensive nature, and not easy to besiege or to ascend; and when one portion of the army defending it is routed out, the other portions can escape unhurt; and such a fort is of immense service, as it affords facilities to throw down heaps of stone and trees over the enemy.
Which is easier, seizing land from those who fight on plains, or from those who fight from low grounds ?
Seizing the land from the latter is easier, inasmuch as they have to fight in time and space of adverse nature, whereas the former can fight anywhere and at any time.
Of the two enemies, one fighting from ditches and another from heights (khanakakabayodhibhydm), seizing land from the former is better; for they can be serviceable inasmuch as they fight from ditches and with weapons in hand, whereas the latter can only fight with weapons in hand.
Whoever, well-versed in the science of polity, wrests land from such and other enemies will outshine both his allies in combination with him and enemies out of combination.36
Chapter XI.
Interminable Agreement (Anavasitasandhih).
The agreement made under the condition, "Let us colonize waste land," is termed an interminable agreement.
Whoever of the two parties of the agreement colonises a fertile land, reaping the harvest earlier, overreaches the other.
In loka metre.