Arthashastra - The Hierarchy of Three Powers

Devanagari

उत्साहप्रभावयोरुत्साहः श्रेयान् ॥
स्वयं हि राजा शूरो बलवानरोगः कृतास्त्रो दण्डद्वितीयोऽपि शक्तः प्रभाववन्तं राजानं जेतुम् ॥
अल्पोऽपि चास्य दण्डस्तेजसा कृत्यकरो भवति ॥
निरुत्साहस्तु प्रभाववान् राजा विक्रमाभिपन्नो नश्यति इत्याचार्याः ॥
प्रभावमन्त्रयोः प्रभावः श्रेयान् ॥
मन्त्रशक्तिसम्पन्नो हि वन्ध्यबुद्धिरप्रभावो भवति ॥
मन्त्रकर्म चास्य निश्चितमप्रभावो गर्भधान्यमवृष्टिरिवोपहन्ति इत्याचार्याः ॥
मन्त्रशक्तिः श्रेयसी ॥
एवमुत्साहप्रभावमन्त्रशक्तीनामुत्तरोत्तराधिकोऽतिसंधत्ते ॥

Transliteration

utsāha-prabhāvayor-utsāhaḥ śreyān ||
svayaṃ hi rājā śūro balavān-arogaḥ kṛtāstro daṇḍa-dvitīyo’pi śaktaḥ prabhāvavantaṃ rājānaṃ jetum ||
alpo’pi cāsya daṇḍas-tejasā kृत्यकरो bhavati ||
nirutsāhas-tu prabhāvavān rājā vikramābhipanno naśyati ity-ācāryāḥ ||
prabhāva-mantrayoḥ prabhāvaḥ śreyān ||
mantra-śakti-sampanno hi vandhya-buddhir-aprabhāvo bhavati ||
mantra-karma cāsya niścitam-aprabhāvo garbhadhānyam-avṛṣṭir-ivopahanti ity-ācāryāḥ ||
mantra-śaktiḥ śreyasī ||
evam-utsāha-prabhāva-mantra-śaktīnām-uttarottarādhiko’ti-saṃdhatte ||

Translation

The Debate on Power (9.1.02 – 16): Kautilya analyzes the hierarchy of the three powers of a ruler: Utsāha (Energy/Willpower), Prabhāva (Material Power/Resources), and Mantra-śakti (Power of Counsel/Intellect).

1. Utsāha (Willpower): While previous teachers argued that personal bravery and energy could overcome a better-funded rival (9.1.02-05), Kautilya disagrees.
2. Prabhāva (Resources): Teachers also argued that material resources are better than mere strategy, as resources bring the power to hire talent and equip armies (9.1.10-12).
3. Mantra (Intellect): Kautilya concludes that Intellect is superior to both. A ruler with wisdom and strategy can, with little effort, overcome enemies who possess both willpower and resources through diplomatic and strategic means.

The Final Verdict (9.1.16): Among the powers of Energy (Will), Material Power (Resources), and Counsel (Intellect), each succeeding one is superior and overcomes the ones preceding it.

The Power Hierarchy (Kautilya’s Ranking)

Tier	Power Type	Definition	Why it Beats the Previous Tier
Lowest	Utsāha	Energy, Will, Bravery	Pure “hustle” is easily outspent by a bigger budget.
Middle	Prabhāva	Resources, Wealth, Armies	Money buys armies and talent, but can be wasted by bad plans.
Highest	Mantra	Intellect, Strategy, Counsel	A strategic mind uses minimal effort to outmaneuver “rich but foolish” rivals.

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Index: index