Chapter 1 · Prathamo’dhyāyaḥ (First Chapter)
Verse 8
अमात्यैर्बलिभिर्दुष्टैर्दुर्बलस्य दुरात्मभिः। कोशो बलं चापहृतं तत्रापि स्वपुरे ततः ॥ ८ ॥
amātyairbalibhirduṣṭairdurbalasya durātmabhiḥ | kōśō balaṁ cāpahṛtaṁ tatrāpi svapurē tataḥ || 8 ||
Translation
Then, even there in his own city, the treasury and the army were stolen by his powerful, wicked, and evil-minded ministers, who took advantage of his weakened state.
Word by word
- amātyaiḥ
- by the ministers
- balibhiḥ
- powerful
- duṣṭaiḥ
- wicked
- durabalasya
- of the one who is weak
- durātmabhiḥ
- by the evil-minded ones
- kōśaḥ
- the treasury
- balaṁ
- the army
- ca
- and
- apahṛtaṁ
- was stolen
- tatrāpi
- even there
- svapurē
- in his own city
- tataḥ
- then
Meaning
This verse describes the ultimate betrayal. Not only is Suratha defeated by external enemies, but his own ministers, whom he trusted, exploit his vulnerability. They usurp his treasury (kōśaḥ) and his military force (balaṁ), leaving him utterly powerless and isolated in the midst of his own kingdom. This complete loss of power, wealth, and trust sets the stage for his renunciation.