History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c62.509.1

v4.c62.509.1

Everything secures success (i.e. his and his kingdom's happiness) according as the king is able to put forth each of the śaktis to their utmost. The aspiring king taking into account his three śaktis may employ the six guṇas (methods of policy). The circle of the twelve States gives rise to the employment of the six methods. Differing from Vātavyādhi (who said that there were only two methods, sandhi and vigraha) and for once agreeing with the ācāryas, Kauṭilya accepts the position that there are six guṇas and briefly defines them. The Sarasvatīvilāsa (p. 42) quotes a sūtra of Gautama about the six guṇas, which is not found in the printed text.²⁹⁹ Kauṭilya defines the six as follows: *Sandhi*³⁰⁰ means making an arrangement or agreement; *vigraha* means taking up a hostile attitude; *āsana* means an attitude of indifference; *yāna* means preparing (for attacking one's enemy); *saṁśraya* means taking shelter (with another powerful king); *dvaidhībhāva* means making peace with one king and adopting a hostile attitude to another. He then states that a king who is less strong than his neighbour may make an agreement with him, one who is rising in power may take up a hostile attitude, whoever thinks 'the hostile king cannot hurt me nor can I hurt him' may remain indifferent (or neutral) in his own State.