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Upayas in Indian Diplomacy (view source)
Revision as of 19:28, 25 October 2023
, 19:28, 25 October 2023adding content and editing
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The four upayas – sama (conciliation), dana (concession or gift), danda (punishment), and bheda (dissension) existed to realize an objective or aim of a Raja or Maharaja since ancient times in India. These upayas were to be used in times of peace by the king in his foreign relations. Accordingly, foreign relations would be determined by self-interest, not ethical concerns. Modern states have been practicing what Kautilya had advocated but it is neither acknowledged nor attributed to his genius. It is pertinent to mention that there is a hierarchy in use of these upayas in the order of sama, dana, bheda while danda or use of force would be the last resort. These tactics can be either used alone or in combination as well. In the case of allies and enemies, a combination of these methods ensures success because the different methods mutually reinforce each other. 20th century classic realist, Hans J Morgenthau, in his book Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace, (1966) has given methods that can be used in balance of power. These methods are similar to those given by Kautilya, but Morgenthau does not refer to Kautilya. The methods discussed by him include divide and rule, compensation, armaments and alliances.
Kautilya prescribes the four upayas or ways to enforce the king's hegemony in the mandala. These are methods of persuasion and tacit measures to get the writ of the vijigishu running in the mandala and these are the ways to consolidate his rule. Kautilya realized these are recognized expedients, because as a realist thinker, he knows fully well that although trickery and deceipt play important part in politics, diplomacy by trickery seldom helps a country to achieve its objective. The four upayas are:
The four upayas given by Kautilya are explained below. Sama: There are five meanings attached to sama o
He refers to the four types of means (upaya) to realise a policy—sama (peace), dana (gift), bheda (dissention) and danda (constraint and coercion). But coercion should not be used except as the last expedient.
He refers to the four types of means (upaya) to realise a policy—sama (peace), dana (gift), bheda (dissention) and danda (constraint and coercion). But coercion should not be used except as the last expedient.