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मन्त्र शक्ति सम्पन्नो हि वन्ध्य बुद्धिर् अप्रभावो भवति ॥
for a king, though possessed of skill for intrigue (mantrasakti) becomes a man of barren mind if he has no power; for the work of intrigue is well defined.
english translation
मन्त्र कर्म च अस्य निश्चितम् अप्रभावो गर्भ धान्यम् अवृष्टिर् इव उपहन्ति" इत्य् आचार्याः ॥
He who has no power loses his kingdom as sprouts of seeds in drought vomit their sap.
english translation
न इति कौटिल्यः ॥
No, says Kautilya.
english translation
मन्त्र शक्तिः श्रेयसी ॥
skill for intrigue is better.
english translation
प्रज्ञा शास्त्र चक्षुर् हि राजा अल्पेन अपि प्रयत्नेन मन्त्रम् आधातुं शक्तः परान् उत्साह प्रभाववतश् च साम आदिभिर् योग उपनिषद्भ्यां च अतिसंधातुम् ॥
he who has the eye of knowledge and is acquainted with the science of polity can with little effort make use of his skill for intrigue and can succeed by means of conciliation and other strategic means and by spies and chemical appliances in over-reaching even those kings who are possessed of enthusiasm and power.
english translation