Panchatantra: A reflex of Arthashastra
by M. N. Indrani | 2003 | 42,495 words
The essay studies the Panchatantra in relation to the Arthashastra by proposing that that Indian fable literature divides into educative and entertaining narratives, both traced back to the sacred Vedic texts. It highlights the 'Pancatantra' and its kin as representative of educative stories promoting ethical conduct and worldly wisdom through tale...
The Adoption of Sandhi (Peace)
171 Part II Adoption of Six-fold Policy It is worthy to note that in the Arthasastra of Kautilya recognises six-fold policy to be adopted by the king in the circle of sovereign states, and expresses that the adoption of these policies protects the state from deterioration and leads to progress. Those six policies are as below: 1) Sandhi - Peace 2) Vigraha - War 3) Asana - Neutrality 4) Yana - Marching 5) Samsraya - Alliance 6) Dvaidhibhava - Double policy i.e., making peace with one and waging war with another.1 In executing these six policies, Kautilya says, a king should be desirous of expanding his own power.2 1. sadgunyasya prakrtimandalam yonih | samdhivigrahasanayanasamsrayadvaidhibhavaspadgunyam ityacaryah | dvaigunyam iti . vatavyadhih, "samdhivigrahabhyam hi sadgunyam sampadyate " iti | sadgunyamevaitadavasthabhedat iti kautilyah | tatra panabandhah sandhih, apakaro vigrahah, upeksanamasanam, abhyuccayo yanam, pararpanam samsrayah, samdhivigrahopadanam dvaidhibhavah iti sadgunah | Arthasastra, VII Adhikarana, (Sadgunyam), I Adhyaya, p. 326. 2. vijigisu saktapeksah sadgunyamupayunjita | | Arthasastra, VII Adhikarana, (Sadgunyam), III Adhyaya, p. 332. rsity
172 All these six policies are found reflected in the third tantra i.e. Kakolukiyam of the Pancatantra. It is read that Meghavarna and Arimardana together with their respective followers have fallen into enemity with each other. In order to devastate Arimardana, Meghavarna called a counsel of ministers to form the opinion regarding Arimardana's destruction. At that time, the ministers of Meghavarna gave their opinions one after the other to level Arimardana. Here Visnusarma invests the desciplines of six policies into the opinions given by Meghavarna's ministers. i. Adoption of Sandhi : The Sandhi or peace being the first of all six policies, holds more importance as it avoids any kind of destruction in the kingdom of either of the parties. Here, it should be noted that when a king is not in a position to decide as to whether Sandhi or Vigraha be taken up, Kautilya ascertains that when the advantages derivable from peace and war are of equal character, one should prefer Sandhi; because disadvantages such as the loss of power and wealth, sojourning and sin, are ever attending upon war.3 3. sandhivigrahayostulyayam vrddhau samdhimupeyat | vigrahe hi ksayavyayapravasapratyavaya bhavanti | • Arthasastra, VII Adhikarana, (Sadgunyam), II Adhyaya, p. 330.
173 The minister called Ujjivi in the Kakolukiya gave the suggestion that one should not wage war against a stronger enemy.4 He further continued to say that Sandhi should be made with such a person who is truthful, religious minded, goodhearted endowed with many brothers, stronger and who has won many battles.5 At this moment, a doubt may arise as to whether Sandhi be made with wicked person or not. Visnusarma of course, does not say no. Because a weaker one under the pretext of Sandhi requires to protect himself and his subjects as well. Thus, it is implied that weaker enemy need not look into the qualities of the strong king, when Sandhi is essential. Moreover, if a stronger king is to be approached in the time of war by a weaker king though had won the battle many a time in the past, 4. balavata saha vigraho na karyah | Pancatantra, Kakolukiya, Kathamukham, p.3. Cf. Kamandaka Niti IX-50 5. satyadhyo dharmikascaryo bhatrsanghatavan bali | anekavijayi caiva sandheyah sa ripurbhavet || Pancatantra, Kakolukiya, verse - 8, p.4. Cf. Kamandaka Niti IX-42 6. sandhih karyo'pyanaryena vijnaya pranasamsayam | pranaih samraksitaih sarvam yato bhavati raksitam || Pancatantra, Kakolukiya, verse - 9, p.4. Cf. Kamandaka Niti IX-45
174 then he should follow some special means. aneka yuddhavijayi sa tena Otherwise he would immediately fall under the influence of a stronger king." As a result, it becomes very difficult for the weaker one to get out of the clutches of stronger king even after lapse of long period. Hence, it indicates that the policy of Sandhi in the time of war is not for permanent solution to establish the peace, but it is for the temporary period as long as a weaker one does not grow stronger. Referring to Brhaspati's opinion Visnusarma makes a point that a doubtful deed should not be executed. Also it is said that Sandhi should be made between the enemies of equal strength because victory in the war always remains uncertain.8 This view is harmonious with that of Kautilya.9 As against the agreement of Sandhi, if a weaker king out of pride, moves to wage war with a stronger king then, as Kautilya 7. 8. 9. anekayuddhavijayi sandhanam yasyam gacchati | tatprabhavena tasyasu vasam gacchantyaratayah || Pancatantra, Kakolukiya, Kathamukham, verse - 10, p.4. Cf. Kamandaka Niti IX.52 sandhimicchetsamenapi sandigdho vijayi yudhi | a fe aimkus guifacyara qeufa: 11 Pancatantra, Kakolukiya, verse - 11, p.4. Cf. Kamandaka Niti IX.50 samajyayobhyam sandhiyeta | hinena vigrhniyat | Arthasastra, VII Adhikarana, (Sadgunyam), III Adhyaya, p. 332.
175 states "like a stone striking an earthern pot, a superior king attains decisive victory over an inferior king."10 . With striking similarities to Kautilya's statement, Visnusarma notes that, for a weaker one, Sandhi is preferred to Vigraha, because the fight of a weak person with a stronger one leads to his own destruction, for the powerful man stands unharmed having destroyed his enemy, as in the case of a stone after breaking an earthern pot. 11 Another point is added by Visnusarma regarding Sandhi that in case, where there will be no substantial gain but simply fighting, one should not occasion for war under any circumstance but Sandhi should be made. Visnusarma offers an advising word to a king going in for Sandhi that, a person desirous of unfailing royal wealth, should immitate the action of the cane-plant which always yields and never assumes an unbending attitude. 12 10. kumbhenevasma hinenaikantah siddhimavapnoti | Arthasastra, VII Adhikarana, (Sadgunyam), III Adhyaya, p. 333. 11. samam saktimata yuddhamasaktasya hi mrtyave | drsatkumbham yatha bhitva tavatisthati saktiman || Pancatantra, Kakolukiya, verse - 14, p.5. 12. baliyasa samakranto vaitasim vrttimasrayet | * vanchannabhramsinim laksmim na bhaujangi kadacana || Pancatantra, Kakolukiya, verse 18, p.5. Cf. Kamandaka Niti X, 32, 35 pdffre aarefi gla maifa vedi ferry | bhujangavrttimapanno vadhamarhati kevalam || Pancatantra, Kakolukiya, verse - 19, p.6.
176 Morever, the Arthasastra ordains that when an inferior king is all submissive, Sandhi should be made with him, for, when provoked by causing troubles and anger, an inferior king like wild fire should attack his enemy, and for which he will be favoured by his circle of states. 13 . In the reflection of this Kautilya's statement, Visnusarma has pointed out that assuming the contraction of a tortoise (i.e. humble behaviour) a talented man who has recoursed to Sandhi should even bear blows by the enemy and whenever he would get favourable opportunity, he should rise like a black serpent against his enemy." At last, Visnusarma concludes his opinion with regard to Sandhi that there is no precept to the effect that one should fight with a powerful person. A cloud never moves in a direction contrary to the wind.1 13. hinascetsarva tranupranatastisthet, samdhimupeyat | aranyo'gniriva hi duhkhamarpajam tejo vikramayati | mandalasya canugrahyo bhavati | Arthasastra, VII Adhikarana, (Sadgunyam), III Adhyaya, p. 333. 14. kaurmam sankocamasthaya praharanapi marsayet | kale kale ca matimanuttisthetkrsnasarpavat || Pancatantra, Kakolukiya, verse - 20, p. 6. Cf. Kamandaka Niti IX.35 15. balina saha yoddhavyamiti nasti nidarsanam | prativatam na hi dhanah kadacidupasarpati || Pancatantra, Kakolukiya, verse - 22, p. 6.