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Arthashastra

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तेन पूर्वः पश्चिमश् च वणिक् पथो व्याख्यातः ॥

This explains the selection of trade-routes leading either to the east or to the west.

english translation

तत्र अपि चक्र पाद पथयोश् चक्र पथो विपुल आरम्भत्वात् श्रेयान्, देश काल सम्भावनो वा खर उष्ट्र पथः ॥

Of a cart-track and a foot-path, a cart-track is better as it affords facilities for preparations on a large scale. Routes that can be traversed by asses or camels, irrespective of countries and seasons are also good.

english translation

आभ्याम् अंस पथो व्याख्यातः ॥

This explains the selection of trade-routes traversed by men alone (amsa-patha, shoulder-path, i.e., a path traversed by men carrying merchandise on their shoulders).

english translation

पर कर्म उदयो नेतुः क्षयो वृद्धिर् विपर्यये ॥

It is a loss for the conqueror to undertake that kind of work which is productive of benefits to the enemy, while a work of reverse nature is a gain.

english translation

तुल्ये कर्म पथे स्थानं ज्ञेयं स्वं विजिगीषुणा ॥

When the benefits are equal, the conqueror has to consider that his condition is stagnant.

english translation