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Arthashastra

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बल विशिष्टः कृत उपजापः प्रतिविहित ऋतुः स्व भूम्यां प्रकाश युद्धम् उपेयात् ॥

HE who is possessed of a strong army, who has succeeded in his intrigues, and who has applied remedies against dangers may undertake an open fight, if he has secured a position favourable to himself.

english translation

विपर्यये कूट युद्धम् ॥

otherwise a treacherous fight.

english translation

बल व्यसन अवस्कन्द कालेषु परम् अभिहन्यात्, अभूमिष्ठं वा स्व भूमिष्ठः, प्रकृति प्रग्रहो वा स्व भूमिष्ठम् ॥

He should strike the enemy when the latter's army is under troubles or is furiously attacked; or he who has secured a favourable position may strike the enemy entangled in an unfavourable position. Or he who possesses control over the elements of his own state may, through the aid of the enemy's traitors, enemies and inimical wild tribes, make a false impression of his own defeat on the mind of the enemy who is entrenched in a favourable position, and having thus dragged the enemy into an unfavourable position, he may strike the latter.

english translation

दूष्य अमित्र अटवी बलैर् वा भङ्गं दत्त्वा विभूमि प्राप्तं हन्यात् ॥

One should strike the enemy when he has reached unsuitable terrain, either by using treacherous elements, hostile forces, or forest tribes, or by feigning a retreat.

english translation

संहत अनीकं हस्तिभिर् भेदयेत् ॥

One should use elephants to shatter an enemy's force when it is drawn up in a compact formation.

english translation