Verse 7.32 [Duties of the King]

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation by Ganganath Jha:

स्वराष्ट्रे न्यायवृत्तः स्याद् भृशदण्डश्च शत्रुषु ।
सुहृत्स्वजिह्मः स्निग्धेषु ब्राह्मणेषु क्षमान्वितः ॥ ३२ ॥

svarāṣṭre nyāyavṛttaḥ syād bhṛśadaṇḍaśca śatruṣu |
suhṛtsvajihmaḥ snigdheṣu brāhmaṇeṣu kṣamānvitaḥ || 32 ||

In his own kingdom he shall be of just behaviour, and on his enemies he shall inflict rigorous chastisement; with loved friends he shall be straightforward and towards Brāhmaṇas tolerant.—(32)

 

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

The name ‘own kingdom’ is based upon the fact of the territory having been inherited from one’s forefathers; e.g., Kāśmīra would be ‘own kingdom’ for the King of Kāśmira, Pāñcāla would be ‘own Kingdom’ tor the King of Pāñcāla; and so forth Therein ‘he shall be of just behaviour’, i.e., act with justice;—he who behaves with justice is said to be ‘of just behaviour’; the compound being expounded as a Bahuvrīhi.

‘Nyāyavṛttiḥ’ is another reading.

The foregoing clause having reiterated what has been already enjoined before, the Author enjoins ‘rigorous chastisement’ towards enemies. The sense is that he shall attack the enemy’s territories outright, not waiting for any such favourable opportunity as the enemy being beset with difficulties or attacked by other kings. By acting thus, the king acquires a glamour of glory; and to one who has attained this glamour, the enemies bow down.

Towards all Brāhmaṇas, he shall be ‘tolerant’; i.e., even when they have committed an offence, punishment shall be meted out to them in a merciful, and not a revengeful, spirit.

When a king is attacking another kingdom, he does not destroy the inhabitants of that realm, if it is at all possible to save them.

Towards ‘loved friends’ he shall be ‘straightforward’— free from duplicity. One who helps in the accomplishment of the king’s business, and who regards his business as his own and who looks upon his prosperity and adversity as his own, is his ‘loved friend’.—(32).

 

Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha

This verse is quoted in Vīramitrodaya (Rājanīti, p. 121).

 

Comparative notes by various authors

Kāmandaka (4.15-19).—‘Eloquence, self-confidence, accuracy of memory, stateliness of stature, superior might, self-control, ingenuity in inventing means and instruments of torture, perfection in all arts, ability to reclaim men from evil ways, power of sustaining assaults from enemies, knowledge of remedies against danger, promptness in detecting the weak points of the enemy, familiarity with the nature of war and peace, strict observance of secrecy regarding all counsel and action, proficiency in utilising place and time, collection of money and its proper expenditure, deep insight into the nature of dependants, freedom from anger, avarice, fear, malice, obstinacy and fickleness—avoidance of tyranny, depravity, animosity, jealousy and falsehood,—compliance with the advice of elders,—learning, energy, amiable appearance, appreciation of people’s worth and smiling words;—these are the indispensable qualifications of a sovereign.’

Do. (6.8).—‘Thus knowing what is just and what unjust, and abiding by the decrees of the pious, the king should cherish his subjects and should oxtirpate his adversaries.’

Do. (14.13).—‘A king hard in inflicting punishment excites the people; thus harassed, they seek the protection of the enemy.’

Viṣṇu (3.96).—‘In his own domain, the king shall inflict punishments according to justice, chastise foreign foes with rigour, behave without duplicity to his affectionate friends and with lenience towards Brāhmaṇas.’

Arthaśāstra (p. 31).—‘Sticking to one’s own duty leads to Heaven and Immortality; neglecting thereof leads to confusion and ruin. Therefore the king shall never disturb the specific duties of living beings. By remaining firm in his own duty, he is happy here as also after death; the people are contented, never discontented, if the rules of gentility are duly observed, and if they are protected according to the three Vedas.’

Yājñavalkya (1.333).—‘To his dependants and to his people, the king shall be as father; lenient towards Brāhmaṇas, straightforward to his affectionate friends, rigorous towards enemies.’

Śukranīti (1.52-54).—‘From the very moment that a man attains the position of a king through skill, might or valour,—no matter whether he is anointed or not,—he should begin to rule his subjects according to law, being above hoard and ever holding his sceptre.’

Do. (1.59.62).—‘The king who protects his people and is charitable......is called Sāttvika and attains salvation.’