Upāya (Sanskrit: उपाय) is a Sanskrit word that means "approaches" or "ideas", "to come into any state or condition" and "to come near or towards".[1] It also refers to methods of diplomacy found in Hindu and Jain texts.[2][3][4] These four approaches are commonly referred as Chaturvidhopāya (lit.'four-fold idea'.
Descriptions
Avoid War
One can lose a war as easily as one can win.
War is inherently unpredictable.
War is also expensive. Avoid war.
Try Upaya (four strategies).
Then Sadgunya (six forms of non-war pressure).
Understand the opponent and seek to outwit him.
When everything fails, resort to military force.
Kautilya mentioned four Upayas - Sama, Dana or Dama, Danda and Bheda as ways to solve state politics to avoid conflicts and war situations (Arthashastra 2.10.47).[5] This phrase is also commonly used when you need to find a solution to a problem anyhow.
Sāma, the first step, means conciliation or alliances. When conflict arises between states, the first step is to talk.[2] There are five types of conciliations: praising the person, referring to a relationship (for example, marriage), pointing out common benefits, telling what might happen in future if something is done in a specific way, and lastly putting oneself at the other's disposal (Arthashastra 2.10.48-53).[5]
Dāna, the second, means gifts or compensation (Arthashastra 2.10.54).[5] Sometimes it is referred to as Dama, price, which means to pay the value.[2]
Bheda, refers to the usage of logic or trickery, influencing the mind.[2] Creating dissension and discord in the enemy (Arthashastra 2.10.55).[5]
Danda refers to force or armaments. To take up war with the opposite state.[2] Using military force is the last resort. There are three types of Dandas: killing, tormenting and plundering (Arthashastra 2.10.56).[5]
All of the above four Upayas are generally spoken together in a single colloquial phrase: "Sama Dana Bheda Dandopaya." This is a very common quote used all over India to suggest resolving any conflict.
An article on Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses website states that the 20th-century power-politics theoretician Hans J. Morgenthau suggests four similar methods in a struggle for the balance of power: Divide and Rule; Compensation; Armaments; and Alliances.[2]
These four approaches are found in the Hindu Itihasa (epics) and the Dharmasastras, as well as the Jain text Nitivakyamitra.[2]
^Monier Monier-Williams (1899), Sanskrit English Dictionary, Oxford University Press, Reprinted by Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN978-8120831056, Article on Upaya
^ abcdeKing, Governance, and Law in Ancient India: Kautilya's Arthasastra - a New Annotated Translation by Patrick Olivelle, Oxford University Press, 2013
