War in Ancient India c11.t1.38

c11.t1.38

*Dvaidībhāva*: The sixth method of state policy in respect of foreign relations is Dvaidībhāva, which means practising duplicity against one's enemies invariably through fear of them. Dr. Shama Sastri’s interpretation, ‘making peace with one and waging war with another’, is thus subject to correction. Underneath this policy lies an attitude of duplicity.⁶⁸ The *Śrīmūlam* commentary⁶⁹ explains the term as meaning the ‘policy of inducing in two enemies confidence by mere speech but behaving inimically in secret.” This policy is to be adopted only when help is not possible from any other source. Kāmandaka compares the behaviour of such a conquering monarch to the eyes of a cow.⁷⁰