Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part C (2025)

Companies need thorough strategy frameworks in an always competitive and dynamic commercial environment to propel market expansion, offset rivalry, and maintain long-term development. Though they may lack a complete approach to competitive positioning, risk management, and adaptive decision-making, traditional corporate strategies frequently stress innovation, cost leadership, and distinction. Examining the Six Upayas—Saam (Persuasion), Daam (Incentives), Dand (Punishment), Bhed (Division), Upeksha (Ignoring Competitors), and Indrajala (Deception) as a timeless strategic model applicable to modern business expansion this paper revisits Kautilya's Arthashastra, an ancient Indian treatise on governance. Originally intended for political and military maneuvers, these ideas have become relevant in corporate strategy and impact sectors including negotiations, financial incentives, regulatory enforcement, market segmentation, innovation, and competitive intelligence.
Using a mixed-methods methodology, this study combines qualitative insights from case studies of Reliance Industries, Tata Group, Flipkart, and Paytm with quantitative polls of 1000 business leaders. The results show that applied in consumer engagement, stakeholder discussions, and loyalty programs, Saam (Persuasion) and Daam (Incentives) are the most often used and well regarded tactics. While Upeksha (Ignoring Competitors) is preferred by innovators for long-term sustainability, Dand (Punishment) and Bhed (Division) are rather employed, especially in legal enforcement, market segmentation, and competitor analysis. Still the most divisive, though, Indrajala (Deception) raises ethical questions about deliberate misinformation and competitive misdirection.
Sentiment research shows that Saam (0.78) and Daam (0.74) got the greatest positive perception scores; Dand (0.45) and Bhed (0.39) had neutral to slightly positive sentiment, therefore suggesting cautious adoption. With a negative sentiment score of -0.20 Indrajala (-0.20) indicated ethical conundrums and reputation dangers. These results imply that, given they negotiate ethical concerns, industry rules, and changing market dynamics, companies can deliberately combine the Six Upayas for competitive resilience and expansion. Future studies should investigate industry-specific applications, ethical governance models, and cross-industry adaptations so guaranteeing a dynamic, sustainable, and responsible strategic implementation of these ancient ideas in modern business.