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Arthashastra

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राज्ञो राज वल्लभानां च आसन्नाः सत्त्रिणः पत्त्य् अश्व रथ द्विप मुख्यानां "राजा क्रुद्धः" इति सुहृद् विश्वासेन मित्र स्थानीयेषु कथयेयुः ॥

SPIES in the service of the king (the enemy) or of his courtiers may, under the pretence of friendship, say in the presence of other friends that the king is angry with the chiefs of infantry, cavalry, chariots and elephants.

english translation

बहुली भूते तीक्ष्णाः कृत रात्रि चार प्रतीकारा गृहेषु "स्वामि वचनेन आगम्यताम्" इति ब्रूयुः ॥

When their men are collected together, fiery spies, having guarded themselves against night watches, may, under the pretence of the king's (the enemy's) order, invite the chiefs to a certain house and slay the chiefs when returning from the house.

english translation

तान्निर्गच्छत एव अभिहन्युः, "स्वामि संदेशः" इति च आसन्नान् ब्रूयुः ॥

Other spies in the vicinity may say that it has been the king's (the enemy's) order to slay them.

english translation

ये च अप्रवासितास् तान् सत्त्रिणो ब्रूयुः "एतत् तद् यद् अस्माभिः कथितम्, जीवितु कामेन अपक्रान्तव्यम्" इति ॥

Spies may also tell those who have been banished from the country: "This is just what we foretold; for personal safety, you may go elsewhere."

english translation

येभ्यश् च राजा याचितो न ददाति तान् सत्त्रिणो ब्रूयुः "उक्तः शून्य पालो राज्ञा "अयाच्यम् अर्थम् असौ च असौ च मा याचते, मया प्रत्याख्याताः शत्रु संहिताः, तेषाम् उद्धरणे प्रयतस्व" इति ॥

Spies may also tell those who have not received what they requested of the king (the enemy) that the officer in charge of waste lands has been told by the king: "Such and such a person has begged of me what he should not demand; I refused to grant his request; he is in conspiracy with my enemy. So make attempts to put him down."

english translation