2023-02-16 11:11:42 by ambuda-bot
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Introduction
c 4th century A.D. But we shall be more justified
to take the questionable passages to be interpola-
tions and to conclude that the book is substantially
a composition of Kautilya, the Mauryan minister
himself.
While the Mahabharata teaches Politics as a part
of moral training, the Arthasāstra serves as a
practical guide to statecraft. Its main concern
is the well-being of the state and the material pros-
perity of the King. Though the King is expected
to master the Vedas and philosophy by the Artha-
śāstra also, it does not bother about ethical rigidities
so far as political and administrative policies are
concerned. It comprises 15 Books (Adhikaraṇas),
each containing some smaller chapters (Adhyāyas).
In another manner the Adhikaranas are divided
into smaller sections or Prakaranas. Thus in the
whole work we have some 150 Adhyayas or some
180 Prakaranas.¹0⁰ The contents of the Arthaśāstra
may be briefly indicated as follows:
Book I
Book III
Book IV
13
Book II Settlement of the countryside and
fortification; duties and responsibi-
lities of various officers connected with
civil administration.
-Training of the King, testing of offi-
cials, personal security of the King,
secrecy of counsels, etc.
Digitized by
} Civil, criminal and personal law.
9. Basham, Ibid., p. 79. Altekar, SGAI. p., 15.
10. In the Glossary, the Roman numbers indicate the Book
no.s and ordinary Arabic numerals indicate the Chap no.s.
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Original from
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
THE TRAINIEDOITY- AC SUMBAINI
c 4th century A.D. But we shall be more justified
to take the questionable passages to be interpola-
tions and to conclude that the book is substantially
a composition of Kautilya, the Mauryan minister
himself.
While the Mahabharata teaches Politics as a part
of moral training, the Arthasāstra serves as a
practical guide to statecraft. Its main concern
is the well-being of the state and the material pros-
perity of the King. Though the King is expected
to master the Vedas and philosophy by the Artha-
śāstra also, it does not bother about ethical rigidities
so far as political and administrative policies are
concerned. It comprises 15 Books (Adhikaraṇas),
each containing some smaller chapters (Adhyāyas).
In another manner the Adhikaranas are divided
into smaller sections or Prakaranas. Thus in the
whole work we have some 150 Adhyayas or some
180 Prakaranas.¹0⁰ The contents of the Arthaśāstra
may be briefly indicated as follows:
Book I
Book III
Book IV
13
Book II Settlement of the countryside and
fortification; duties and responsibi-
lities of various officers connected with
civil administration.
-Training of the King, testing of offi-
cials, personal security of the King,
secrecy of counsels, etc.
Digitized by
} Civil, criminal and personal law.
9. Basham, Ibid., p. 79. Altekar, SGAI. p., 15.
10. In the Glossary, the Roman numbers indicate the Book
no.s and ordinary Arabic numerals indicate the Chap no.s.
Original from
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
THE TRAINIEDOITY- AC SUMBAINI