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...

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The fourth kind of policy, called Asana may be translated as 'Neutrality'. According to Kautilya, Sthana (keeping quiet) Asana (withdrawal from hostility) and Upeksana (negligence) 33. yadapasarati mesah karanam tatprahatum, mrgapatirapi kopatsamkucatyutpatisnuh hrdayanihitabhava gudhamantrapracarah, kimapi viganayanto buddhimantah sahante || Pancatantra, Kakolukiya, verse 42, p.11. 34. balavantam ripum drstva desatyagam karoti yah | yudhisthira ivapnoti punarjivan sa medinim || Pancatantra, Kakolukiya, verse - 43, p.11.

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184 are synonymous with the word 'Asana'. There may be a little difference between the three aspects of neutrality, keeping quiet and withdrawal. 35 Kautilya illustrates the meaning of Asana in the following words: "That neither is my enemy strong enough to destroy my works, nor I am; if he comes to fight with me like a dog with a boar, I can increase his afflictions without incurring any loss in my own works, then he may observe neutrality and augment his own resources."36 These statements of Kautilya invariably imply that one should remain in one's place keeping watch over one's enemy. Of course, "remaining in one's place" is very strategic. In this context, Prajivi, another minister of Meghavarna proposes the adoption of the policy of Asana in the meaning that Kautilya has given. Visnusarma however makes a remark that when the Sandhi, Vigraha and Yana fall inactive, Asana has to be recoursed. It is illustrated that a crocodile being in its own place (i.e. water) can easily catchhold of a big elephant. But when it is outside its place, it is defeated even by a dog. 37 35. sthanamasanamupeksanam cetyasanaparyayah | visesastu - gunaikadese sthanam svavrddhipraptyartham asanamasanam, upayanamaprayoga upeksanamiti | Arthasastra, VII Adhikarana, (Sadgunyam) IV Adhyaya, p.336. 36. yadi va manyeta - "yanasadhyah karmopaghatah satroh, prativihitasvakarmaraksascasmi " iti yanena vrddhimatisthet | Arthasastra, VII Adhikarana, (Sadgunyam) I Adhyaya, p.329. 37. nakrah svasthanamasadya gajendramapi karsati | sa eva pracyutah sthanacchunapi paribhuyate || Pancatantra, Kakolukiya, verse - 45, p.12.

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185 In the context of such calamity, Visnusarma states that "Attacked by a powerful enemy, a king should take shelter in a forest putting forth efforts; and stationed there, he should call his friends to his help that he should effect his escape. Further, it is also suggested that "He, who with his mind bewildered by fear on hearing of the approach of an enemy, leaves his own place, will not enter it again.39 So also, just as the serpent devoid of poisonous teeth, and the elephant without rut, so also a king being not in his own place will become very submissive before the stronger one. 40 A single warrior in his own place becomes as stronger as to fight with hundred enemies. In addition to this, Visnusarma considers that "Even weak men who live in their place are not overpowered by even a strong men acting adversely as creepers growing together are not injured by even a strong wind blowing in a contrary direction. 41 38. abhiyukto balavata durge tisthetprayatnavan | tatrasthah suhrdahvanam prakurvitatmamuktaye || Pancatantra, Kakolukiya, verse - 46, p.12. 39. yo riporagamam srutva bhayasamtrastamanasah | svasthanam hi tyajetatra na tu bhuyo visecca sah || Pancatantra, Kakolukiya, verse - 47, p.13. 40. damstravirahitah sarpo madahino yatha gajah | sthanahinastatha raja gamyah syatsarvajantusu || Pancatantra, Kakolukiya, verse - 48, p.13. 41. balina'pi na badhyante laghavo'pyekasamsrayah | vipaksenapi maruta yathaikasthanavirudhah || Pancatantra, Kakolukiya, verse - 52, p.13.

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186 Since even a large tree, strong and deep-rooted, wellimbedded in the earth but growing singly can be uprooted by a strong wind; but the trees growing in a mass and firmly rooted, are not uprooted even by a violent wind on account of their growing in one place; so enemies consider a man who is single, unassisted although possessed of valour, as capable of being vanquished and then they kill him. 42 In this manner, all the statements of Prajivi are inherited with the idea that how one can take revolt against his enemy being in his own place, which amounts to the adoption of the policy of Asana.

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