Arthashastra - The Importance of Self-Discipline

Sanskrit (Devanagari)

अरीवर्ज्याः प्रकृतयः सप्तैताः स्वगुणोदयाः ॥
उक्ताः प्रत्यङ्गभूतास्ताः प्रकृता राजसम्पदः ॥
सम्पादयत्यसम्पन्नाः प्रकृतीरात्मवान्नृपः ॥
विवृद्धाश्चानुरक्ताश्च प्रकृतीर्हन्त्यनात्मवान् ॥
ततः स दुष्टप्रकृतिश्चातुरन्तोऽप्यनात्मवान् ॥
हन्यते वा प्रकृतिभिर्याति वा द्विषतां वशम् ॥
आत्मवांस्त्वल्पदेशोऽपि युक्तः प्रकृतिसम्पदा ॥
नयज्ञः पृथिवीं कृत्स्नां जयत्येव न हीयते ॥

Transliteration

arivarjāḥ prakṛtayaḥ saptaitāḥ svaguṇodayāḥ ||
uktāḥ pratyaṅgabhūtāstāḥ prakṛtā rājasampadaḥ ||
sampādayatyasampannāḥ prakṛtīrātmavānnṛpaḥ ||
vivṛddhāścānuraktāśca prakṛtīrhantyanātmavān ||
tataḥ sa duṣṭaprakṛtiścāturanto’pyanātmavān ||
hanyate vā prakṛtibhiryāti vā dviṣatāṃ vaśam ||
ātmavāṃstvalpadeśo’pi yuktaḥ prakṛtisampadā ||
nayajñaḥ pṛthivīṃ kṛtsnāṃ jayatyeva na hīyate ||

Translation

Power of Self-Discipline (6.1.15 & 16): These seven constituent elements (limbs), when they excel in their own qualities and are free from the influence of the enemy, are called the perfections of sovereignty. A self-possessed (disciplined) king makes even imperfect elements perfect; but an undisciplined king destroys even prosperous and loyal elements.

Fate of the Undisciplined (6.1.17): Therefore, a ruler who is undisciplined and possesses corrupt elements—even if he is the ruler of the four corners of the earth—will either be destroyed by his own elements (a coup) or fall under the control of his enemies.

Triumph of the Wise (6.1.18): But a self-possessed ruler, even if his territory is small, if he is endowed with perfect elements and is an expert in policy (Niti), will certainly conquer the entire earth and will never be defeated.

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