Verse 7.177

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation by Ganganath Jha:

सर्वोपायैस्तथा कुर्यान्नीतिज्ञः पृथिवीपतिः ।
यथाऽस्याभ्यधिका न स्युर्मित्रोदासीनशत्रवः ॥ १७७ ॥

sarvopāyaistathā kuryānnītijñaḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ |
yathā'syābhyadhikā na syurmitrodāsīnaśatravaḥ || 177 ||

By means of all the expedients, the politic king shall act in such a manner that his allies, neutrals and enemies do not become superior to himself.—(177)

 

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

The mention of ‘expedients’ in general implies that use may be made of these either severally or collectively; and the epithet ‘all’ indicates that he may resort to whatever expedient he can; even such, for instance, us the formation of cliques and the like.

‘Act in such a manner’—try to manage his affairs in such a way.

‘Politic’—well versed in the science of government, naturally possessed of keen intelligence, as also conversant with the art of politics.

‘Superior’—in the three elements of strength;—so that his allies and others may not be so, he shall act in all things,—in the undertakings of his people—in such a way as to make himself greater than all of them.

In view of metrical exigencies the author has omitted to mention the ‘intermediary’. But he also is to be watched, and not ignored, because friendly. There is no such thing as a ‘friend’, without some motive of his own; in fact when a friend becomes great, he also, for some purpose of his own, becomes an enemy; as says Vyāsa—‘No one is anybody’s friend, nor is any body any body’s enemy; friends and enemies are to be regarded as such only in accordance with the powers that they possess.’

By means of these expedients, the king shall deliberate upon his. whole circle.—(177)

 

Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha

This verse is quoted in Vīramitrodaya (Rājanīti, p. 328);—‘and in Nītimayūkha (p. 58).