Chapter 4 - Vārtā and Daṇḍanīti

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Summary: The End of Sciences (c): Vārtā and Daṇḍanīti.

Agriculture, cattle-breeding and trade constitute^[1] Vārtā. It is most useful in that it brings in grains, cattle, gold, forest-produce (kupya), and free labour (viṣṭi). It is by means of the treasury and the army obtained solely through Vārtā that the king can hold under his control both his and his enemy’s party.

That sceptre on which the well-being and progress of the sciences of Ānvīkṣakī,^[1] the triple Vedas, and Vārtā depend is [9] known as Daṇḍa (punishment). That which treats of Daṇḍa is the law of punishment or science of government (daṇḍanīti).

It is a means to make acquisitions, to keep them secure, to improve them, and to distribute among the deserved the profits of improvement. It is on this science of government that the course of the progress of the world depends.

“Hence,” says my teacher, “whoever is desirous of the progress of the world shall ever hold the sceptre raised (udyatadaṇḍa). Never can there be a better instrument than the sceptre to bring people under control.”

“No,” says Kauṭilya; for whoever imposes severe punishment becomes repulsive to the people; while he who awards mild punishment becomes contemptible.^[2] But whoever imposes punishment as deserved becomes respectable. For punishment (daṇḍa),^[3] when awarded with due consideration, makes the people devoted to righteousness and to works productive of wealth and enjoyment; while punishment, when ill-awarded under the influence of greed and anger owing to ignorance, excites fury even among hermits and ascetics dwelling in forests, not to speak of householders.

But when the law of punishment is kept in abeyance, it gives rise to such disorder as is implied in the proverb of fishes (mātsyanyāyamudbhāvayati);^[4] for in the absence of a magistrate (daṇḍadharābhāve), the strong will swallow the weak; but under his protection the weak resist the strong.

This people (loka), consisting of four castes and four orders of religious life, when governed by the king with his sceptre, will keep to their respective paths, ever devotedly adhering to their respective duties and occupations.^[5]

[Thus ends Chapter IV, “Determination of the Place of Vārtā and Daṇḍanīti” among Sciences, in Book I, “Concerning Discipline” of the Arthaśāstra of Kauṭilya. “The End of Sciences” is completed.]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

See Chap. II, Book I.

[2]:

Ka. VI, 15.

[3]:

The word “Daṇḍa” is used in three senses: sceptre, punishment and army.

[4]:

A great fish swallows a small one.

[5]:

In śloka-metre, Ka. II, 36-37.