Chapter 4 - Arthashastra and Panchatantra—a comparison

186
Since even a large tree, strong and deep-rooted, well-
imbedded in the earth but growing singly can be uprooted by a
strong wind; but the trees growing in a mass and firmly rooted,
are not uprooted even by a violent wind on account of their
growing in one place; so enemies consider a man who is single,
unassisted although possessed of valour, as capable of being
vanquished and then they kill him. 42
In this manner, all the statements of Prajivi are inherited
with the idea that how one can take revolt against his enemy
being in his own place, which amounts to the adoption of the
policy of Āsana.
v. Adoption of Saṃśraya
Samśraya being the fifth policy means seeking protection of
another king (). Analysing the meaning of Saṃśraya
or alliance Kauṭilya explains that when a king feels himself not
strong enough, either to harass his enemy's works or to defend
his own against enemy's attack, then he should seek protection
from a king of superior power and endeavor to pass from the
42. महानप्येकजो वृक्षः बलवान्सुप्रतिष्ठितः ।
प्रसह्य इव वातेन शक्यो धर्षयितुं यतः ॥
अथ ये संहता वृक्षाः सर्वतः सुप्रतिष्ठिताः ।
ते न रौद्रानिलेनापि हन्यन्ते ह्येकसंश्रयात् ॥
एवं मनुष्यमप्येकं शौर्यणापि समन्वितम् ।
[mahānapyekajo vṛkṣaḥ balavānsupratiṣṭhitaḥ |
prasahya iva vātena śakyo dharṣayituṃ yataḥ ||
atha ye saṃhatā vṛkṣāḥ sarvataḥ supratiṣṭhitāḥ |
te na raudrānilenāpi hanyante hyekasaṃśrayāt ||
evaṃ manuṣyamapyekaṃ śauryaṇāpi samanvitam |
] 1 शक्यं द्विषन्तो मन्यन्ते हिंसन्ति च ततः परम् ॥
[śakyaṃ dviṣanto manyante hiṃsanti ca tataḥ param ||
] Pañcatantra, Kākolukiya, verse 53, 54, 55, p.14.
-