Kautilya Arthashastra
by R. Shamasastry | 1956 | 174,809 words | ISBN-13: 9788171106417
The English translation of Arthashastra, which ascribes itself to the famous Brahman Kautilya (also named Vishnugupta and Chanakya) and dates from the period 321-296 B.C. The topics of the text include internal and foreign affairs, civil, military, commercial, fiscal, judicial, tables of weights, measures of length and divisions of time. Original ...
Chapter 7 - The Life of a Saintly King
[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]
Summary: Restraint of the Organs of Sense (b): The Life of a Saintly King.
Hence by overthrowing the aggregate of the six enemies, he shall restrain the organs of sense; acquire wisdom by keeping company with the aged; see through his spies; establish safety and security by being ever active; maintain his subjects in the observance of their respective duties by exercising authority; keep up his personal discipline by receiving lessons in the science; and endear himself to the people by bringing them in contact with wealth and doing good to them.
Thus with his organs of sense under his control, he shall keep away from hurting the woman and property of others; avoid not only lustfulness, even in dream, but also falsehood, haughtiness, and evil proclivities; and keep away from unrighteous and uneconomical transactions.
Not violating righteousness and economy, he shall enjoy his desires. He shall never be devoid of happiness. He may enjoy in an equal degree the three pursuits of life, charity, wealth, and desire, which are inter-dependent upon each other. Any one of these three, when enjoyed to an excess, hurts not only the other two, but also itself.
Kauṭilya[1] holds that wealth, and wealth alone, is important, inasmuch as charity and desire depend upon wealth for their realisation.
Those teachers and ministers who keep him from falling a prey to dangers, and who, by striking the hours[2] of the day as determined [13] by measuring shadows (Chāyānālikāpratodena), warn him of his careless proceedings even in secret, shall invariably be respected.
Sovereignty[3] (rājatva) is possible only with assistance. A single wheel can never move. Hence he shall employ ministers and hear their opinion.
[Thus ends Chapter VII, “The Life of a Saintly King,” in the section of the “Restraint of the Organs of Sense,” in Book I, “Concerning Discipline” of the Arthaśāstra of Kauṭilya; “Restraint of the Organs of Sense” is completed.]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
One or two passages embodying the opinion of others seem to have been omitted here.
[2]:
See Chap. XIX, Book I.
[3]:
In śloka-metre.