By Swami Harshananda
Sandhi literally means an ‘agreement’.
Sandhi as per Political Science[edit]
According to the treatises on religious political science, a king can adopt six methods of policy. They are:
- Sandhi - agreement or peace-treaty
- Vigraha - taking a hostile attitude
- Āsana - indifference
- Yāna - preparing to attack the enemy
- Sariśraya - taking shelter under a more powerful king
- Dvaidhībhāva - adopting a dual policy
Conditions of Sandhi for King[edit]
A king is advised to enter into sandhi[1] with other kings when:
- His own kingdom is beset with natural calamities
- There are more powerful enemies whom he cannot cope with
- He should thus wait for better days
Rules of Sandhi[edit]
Sandhi is not advisable with kings who are equal or weaker in strength. In sandhi, the king can offer his army or treasury or cede a part of his territory to avoid total defeat or submission.
Types of Sandhi[edit]
Several varieties of sandhis, from four up to sixteen, are described in works like Kāmandaklya[2] and Agnipurāna.[3]
Sandhi as per Sanskrit Grammar[edit]
In Sanskrit grammar, the word sandhi means coalescence of two letters coming into immediate contact. For instance, when the letter i comes in front of a, they coalesce into e, as in para + īśa = pareśa.
Sandhi as per Ayurveda[edit]
In Ayurveda, it refers to the joints in limbs like the hands and the feet.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore