Nitishastra, Nītiśāstra, Niti-shastra: 15 definitions
Introduction:
Nitishastra means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit term Nītiśāstra can be transliterated into English as Nitisastra or Nitishastra, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Nītiśāstra (नीतिशास्त्र) refers to the “treatises on polity”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.33 (“The appeasement of Himavat”).—Accordingly, as Vasiṣṭha said to Himavat (Himācala): “[...] Statements, in ordinary language and in the Vedas, are of three forms. A scholar knowing all lores understands them by means of his pure vision of knowledge. [...] O mountain, these are the three types of behaviour as mentioned in the treatises on polity (nītiśāstra). Tell me which type of behaviour shall I adopt to please you. [...]”.
Nītiśāstra (नीतिशास्त्र).—Of Śukra;1 Prahlāda trained in.2
The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
Arthashastra (politics and welfare)
Nītiśāstra (नीतिशास्त्र).—The Nītiśāstra is said to be benificial treatise and generalised science of society. It is a system of morals (social, economics and political). Nītiśāstra gives practical advice as to social well being. It is specially useful to rulers and ministers. With the knowledge of Nīti they can conquere the enemy and become master of the world. The four ends human life (Purusārthas. i.e. dharma, artha, kāma and mokṣa) are found in Nītiśāstra and it gives fame and prosperity.
Nītiśāstra (नीतिशास्त्र, “ethics”) is a branch of philosophy that deals with moral values. In the knowledge tradition of India, ethics has its origin in its religious and philosophical thinking. In every religious tradition, good moral conduct is considered essential for a happy and contented life. Without following the path of righteousness no one can attain supreme goal (mokṣa) of life. For this one has to perform good deeds and avoid wrong-doing.
Arthashastra (अर्थशास्त्र, arthaśāstra) literature concerns itself with the teachings (shastra) of economic prosperity (artha) statecraft, politics and military tactics. The term arthashastra refers to both the name of these scientific teachings, as well as the name of a Sanskrit work included in such literature. This book was written (3rd century BCE) by by Kautilya, who flourished in the 4th century BCE.
In Buddhism
General definition (in Buddhism)
Nītiśāstra (नीतिशास्त्र, “ethics”).—Buddhism also gives primary importance to ethics (nītiśāstra). Sometimes it is called an ethical religion as it does not discuss or depend on the existence of God (the Supreme Being with form and attributes) but instead believes in alleviating the suffering of humanity. The ethical values in this faith are based on the life and teachings of the Buddha.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Nītiśāstra (नीतिशास्त्र).—the science of ethics or of politics; morality.
Derivable forms: nītiśāstram (नीतिशास्त्रम्).
Nītiśāstra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms nīti and śāstra (शास्त्र).
Nītiśāstra (नीतिशास्त्र).—n.
(-straṃ) The science of political ethics, or any work treating of it. E. nīti, and śāstra a scripture. śiṣyate anena śāsa-tral .
Nītiśāstra (नीतिशास्त्र).—n. 1. the science of political conduct, [Rāmāyaṇa] 3, 56, 18; Mahābhārata 1, 5567. 2. works on polity, [Pañcatantra] pr. [distich] 2. Yathā-śāstra + m, adv. as the law ordains, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 2, 70.
Nītiśāstra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms nīti and śāstra (शास्त्र).
Nītiśāstra (नीतिशास्त्र) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—Oppert. 6023.
Nītiśāstra (नीतिशास्त्र):—[=nīti-śāstra] [from nīti > nī] n. the science of or a work on political ethics or morals, [Kathāsaritsāgara]
Nītiśāstra (नीतिशास्त्र):—[nī-ti-śāstra] (straṃ) 1. n. Idem.
Nītiśāstra (नीतिशास्त्र):—(nī + śā) n. die Lehre vom richtigen und klugen Benehmen (insbes. der Regierenden) [Mahābhārata 1, 5567. 5754. 6087.] bhārgavo nītiśāstraṃ tu jagāda [?12, 7662. Pañcatantra 5, 2. 13, 6. Prooemium im Hitopadeśa 40. Madhusūdanasarasvatī’s Prasthānabheda in Weber’s Indische Studien 1, 22, 7.] pañcatantraka [Pañcatantra ed. orn. 2, 18. 20.]
Nītiśāstra (नीतिशास्त्र):—n. die Lehre vom richtigen und klugen Benehmen (insbes. Regierender ) [120,19.]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Kannada-English dictionary
Nītiśāstra (ನೀತಿಶಾಸ್ತ್ರ):—
1) [noun] the study of standards of conduct and moral judgment; moral philosophy; ethics.
2) [noun] the science and art of political government; political science; politics.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Nītiśāstra (नीतिशास्त्र):—n. books of popular wisdom; like the Hitopadesh; the Panchatantra and the Chanakya Shloka; ethics; political science; a work on ethics or politics;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches (+0): Shastra, Niti, Netti.
Starts with (+0): Nitishastrasamuccaya, Nitishastrasamuncaya.
Full-text (+17): Nitishastrasamuccaya, Nripanitishastra, Kamandaki, Bahudantaka, Shukranitisara, Rajanitishastra, Shukraniti, Kautilya, Nitishataka, Viduraniti, Kamandakiyanitisara, Nitikalpataru, Ushanas, Barhaspatya, Laghvarhanniti, Maitri, Nitivakyamrita, Aushanas, Karuna, Triratna.
Relevant text
Search found 54 books and stories containing Nitishastra, Niti shastras, Nīti-śāstra, Niti-sastra, Nīti-śastra, Niti-shastra, Nītiśāstra, Nitisastra, Nītiśastra, Nitishastras; (plurals include: Nitishastras, Niti shastrases, śāstras, sastras, śastras, shastras, Nītiśāstras, Nitisastras, Nītiśastras, Nitishastrases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Yasastilaka and Indian culture (Study) (by Krishna Kanta Jandiqui)
Part 3 - Niti-shastras mentioned in the Yasastilaka < [Chapter 18 - Quotations nad References]
Chapter 17c - Non-Jain legends
Canakya’s Aphorisms in Puranas < [Purana, Volume 6, Part 1 (1964)]
Puranic Wise Sayings in the Literature of “Greater India” < [Purana, Volume 11, Part 1 (1969)]
Brihaspati Samhita (abridged version) < [Purana, Volume 8, Part 2 (1966)]
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 141 < [Hindi-Malayalam-English Volume 2]
Page 141 < [Hindi-Assamese-English Volume 2]
Page 152 < [Hindi-Kannada-English Volume 2]
Vyavaharamala: a text on Indian jurisprudence (by P. V. Rajee)
2. Historical aspects of Kerala judiciary: Introduction < [Chapter 3 - Nature and extent of the Vyavaharamala]
5. The texts of law codes in Aryan civilization < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
Nitiprakasika (Critical Analysis) (by S. Anusha)
Commentary of the Nītiprakāśikā < [Chapter 2]
War in Sanskrit Literature (Introduction) < [Chapter 1]
Contents of Nītiprakāśikā and Tattvavivṛti < [Chapter 2]
Shukra Niti by Shukracharya (by Benoy Kumar Sarkar)