Peace Time Strategy (Introduction)

The six-fold foreign policy was implemented through the means of sāma (conciliation), dāna (gifting), bheda (divide and rule) and daṇḍa (threat of war) . These upāyas were employed individually or in a combination. Nītiprakāśikā outlines about the measures the ruler had to undertake to maintain cordial realtions with his neighbouring kingdoms. It also delineates the methods of solving conflicts through peaceful dialogues or treaties. These strategical considerations assume significance because war is to be waged only when all the other diplomatical methods fail to secure peace in the region. Hence, the rājanīti texts advice a king to be on the alert even during peace time and make use of the four upāyās(means) and six types of foreign policies (ṣāḍguṇya).

In the first sarga, Nītiprakāśikā speaks on foreign policy quite briefly and goes on to elaborate it in the concluding eighth sarga.

Nītiprakāśikā (I. 48-9) directs a king to have thorough knowledge of the ways of peace and war, expertise in the six-fold foreign policy (ṣāḍguṇyavidhi), in-depth knowledge on all śāstras, cultivate the six suitable royal virtues, progress in employing the seven upāyas, and analyse the strength and weakness of the foe and be devoid of the fourteen dośās:

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Also, the need for the eight-fold activities to fill the coffers and develop knowledge of the eighteen tīrtas (chief counselors and officials); is stressed (Nītiprakāśikā I. 51cd-52):

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The king should subdue all his enemies by taking quick decisions; he should advance towards the enemy at the appropriate time with adequate knowledge of the circle of kings in his region.

Then, he shall find it easy to establish himself by conquering his enemies (Nītiprakāśikā I. 53-5):

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The commentator Sitārāma gives details about each one of the necessary administrative aspects of a country to be followed properly at peace time to make the country strong and prosperous. He cites from the Rāmāyaṇa, Kāmandakīya and other nīti works and explains each of these aspects. Unlike the text, the commentary is elaborate in the first sarga and brief when it comes to the eight sarga.

Synchronising the details given in the text and commentary, the important measures to be undertaken by a king to ensure the safety and strength of a kingdom during peace times can be presented as below:

(i) Upāyas

(ii) Ṣāḍguṇya

(iii) Triśakti

(iv) Trisiddhi

(v) Aṣṭakarmas

(vi) Aṣṭādaśatīrthās

In the eighth sarga, however, the text considers only four of them, upāyas, ṣāḍguṇya, triśaktis and the three siddhis as very important for the success of a peaceful and powerful country (VIII. 72):

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