saMSraya vRttiH - On seeking shelter

Having established the fact that there are six measures dealing with situations in the circle of kings, now the discussion starts how to apply them on the field.

1. If the advancement and harm is same by taking either samdhi or vigraha one should resort to samdhi. By vigraha there is a risk of damage, expenditure etc.,

2. By the above statement, cANakya explained the sate of Asana and yAna as well. One should prefer Asana in the situation of similar results with both Asana and yAna.

3. When the same happens between dvaidI-bhAva and samSraya one should opt dvaidI-bhava, as a king who seeks shelter will end up doing the activity for the advancement of the king who has provided the shelter; where as the dvaidI-bhava still gives freedom to act on one's own advancement.

So, samsraya is the last option for a leader! and cANakya discusses about that as the first topic in shADguNyam!! 

One should seek shelter from the king who is more powerful than the opponent. It is better to seek shelter from a king who is not a natural enemy to the king. If such a king is not found, as a last resort one should surrender to the opponent himself.

One should keep watching the situation of the king who provided the shelter. When the shelter provider has weakened, king should move away from his shelter.

If there is fear simultaneously from two opponents, one should seek refuge under the powerful opponent. This has to be done only after considering the option of dvaidI-bhAva i.e., come to an agreement of peace with one and continue conflict with the other.

If the situation of two opponents simultaneously mount pressure, one should seek shelter from the most justly behaved middle king.

Finally, a concluding piece of advice:
प्रियो यस्य भवेद्योवा प्रियोऽस्य कतरस्तयोः ।
प्रियो यस्य स तं गच्छेत् इति आश्रयगतिः परा ॥
If there is a question weather to seek shelter from "who likes you" or "whom you like"? Then surely get shelter from the one "who likes you" - This is the supreme method of surrender.

I think this one is an evergreen advice to one and all dealing with any type of protection. Go to the one "who likes you" rather than the one "whom you like"!!!

Thus we reach the end of 2nd chapter of shADguNyam.