Sowing the Seeds of Dissension

Sowing the Seeds of Dissension which is mentioned in chapter I of Book XIII in Arthashastra entails that when the conqueror desires to seize the land of an enemy`s village, he should then invoke a spirit of enthusiasm in his own people and frightens his enemy`s people by giving publicity to his power of omniscience and close association with gods.

Sowing the seeds of dissension allows the conqueror to use and publicise his power of omniscience which includes rejection of his chief officers when there secret, domestic and private affairs are known; revealing the names of the traitors after receiving information from spies who are specially employed to find out such men; pointing out any impolitic aspect of any course of action suggested to him; pretending to have knowledge of the foreign affairs by means of his power to read omens and signs to read invisible to others when information was known only through the methods of pigeon and messengers. He can further proclaim his association with god. He and his spies can, by holding conversations and worshiping rituals, the make the enemy people believe about their spiritual powers,; or when through the tunnels they can suddenly stand in the midst of fire and above the water and prove their superiority in supernatural powers. By applying such methods like controlling the snakes, crocodile as well as other wild reptiles which live in water; he can prove himself as God of Water or God of Snakes and convince the people about his magical powers.

Sowing the seeds of dissension further allows him to act like astrologers, sooth-Sayers, horologists, or story tellers as well as those who can read the future and fore say about the coming crisis. Together with his spies and disciples the conqueror should be able to give much publicity to his supernatural powers to prove the power of the king to be directly associated with gods throughout his territory. Likewise in the foreign countries the conqueror should spread the news of gods appearing in the front of the conqueror or receiving blessed weapons and treasury from the god directly. It further claims that the conqueror`s chief messengers, pretending to be friendly to the enemy , should speak highly of the conquerors respectful treatment towards his visitors, of the strength of his army, and of the likelihood of impending destruction of his enemy`s men. They should also inform the enemy that how happy the soldiers and the ministers are under his rule.

Sowing the seeds of dissension claims that once the conqueror is able to win the confidence of the enemy`s people, it shall be easier for the conqueror to sow the seeds of dissention among the people of the enemy camp. He should consider his enemy as hound of cattle, donkeys who fall on the skilful persons. When the people of the enemy are convinced with the conqueror`s powers, they may send to the conqueror token of wealth and honours. The conqueror should send food and shelter to those who need these at the time of crisis.

Thus, in this process the conqueror should be able to establish himself in the enemy area which shall help him to dislodge his enemy more easily.