Arthashastra - The most famous book of economics in India

[kakali]

From Indian epigraphical researches it is known beyond doubt that Mourya king Chandragupta was made king in 321B.C. and that Asoka-vardhana ascended the throne in 296 B.C. It follows, therefore, that Kautilya lived and wrote his famous work, the Arthasastra, some where between 321 and 300 B.C.

Kuta = Kutila = Crooked and very tricky person. In Kutila the characteristic of Kutilata is there, the dictionary meaning of Kautilyaha is a tricky, crooked, diplomatic person. The political situation in which Chankya, the closest associate of Chandragupta was born made him the most crooked of the age who could establish a king , made him the most powerful of that time and strengthen the root of Maurya dynasty in which the king like Samudra gupta and Chandragupta the 2nd had extended a huge kingdom in the next decades.
Chanakya or Vishnugupta’s renowned work [b]“ KAUTILIYA ARTHASASTRAM”[/b] ,is an exceptional work on the politics, Kamandaka said about the book :-

[b]“Neetisastramritam dheemanarthasastramahodadhehe. Samudadhre namastasmai Vishnuguptaya vadhase.” - Kamandakiya Neetisara, by Kamandak.[/b]

In the policy of the state the use of [b]“SAAMA-DANA-BHEDA-DANDA”[/b] has taken a new turn in the book of the most diplomatically efficient minister of the post ancient dynasties of India.

Arthasastra is having15 chapters which are divided into several books. Rajadharma, Danda neeti, Trayee (three Vedas), Briddha samyojagam (getting scholars in to the advisory board), Chaturvarga purushartha, Rajarshi Vrittim( duties of a king), Amatya( making of minister according to their capabilities), Mantri( creation of the office of ministers),Samastha Utpatti ( creation of the group of spies), Pranidhi Sanchar( creation of the wandering spies), Duta pranidhi( the mission of envoys), Rajaputra rakshanam( protection of the princes), Pratyahika karmani(daily duties), Shatru nidhanam (destruction of the enemy), Atmarakshanam (personal safety) are some of the contents of the first book only. With other 14 books Arthasastra is realy a huge and elaborate work of Chankya which seems to be the indispensable guide for politicians and diplomats even now.

Book 2 is referring the duties of the government superintendents (formation of village, division of land, construction of forts, duty of the chamberlain, revenue collection, revenue collector’s office and code of conducts for the government servants, royal treasury, superintendent of commerce, etc.

While narrating Arthasastra, Kautilya gave attention to even pretty small things. Starting from destruction of enemies to laws, removal of thorns (Rajya nishkantakm), sovereign states, natural calamities, vices, work of invader; basically entire Royal policies has been discussed in Arthasastra.

In the study of economics we get many books written by foreign and as well as Indian scholars. But Arthasastra is unparallel as the single book for versatile discussion on all aspects of diplomatic angles.

[mona999]

Hi Kakali,

I am really keen on reading the Arthashastra, but I do not know Sanskrit, would you be able to recommend some good English translations of it.

I'd appreciate your help.

Regards,
Mona