Chapter 4 - Arthashastra and Panchatantra—a comparison

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acquisition of wealth is one of the facets of life to make the life
successful and happy. There are many other goals to be achieved.
6. Danda (Army)
Although this Daṇḍa element, is dealt with its details in
the Arthaśāstra, it finds no scope in the Pañcatantra. Therefore,
it is not taken here for discussion.
7. Mitra (Friend)
'Mitra' or a 'friend' is the seventh element of sovereignty.
Indeed, a friend in association with the king does not hold as
much administrative power as the minister has. Yet, before the
eyes of the king, his friend occupies no less seat of honour than
a minister. He happens to be king's bosom friend. He reads
king's heart and does his duties for the welfare of the king and
kingdom.
. Defining the term 'Mitra' or friend in association with a
king, Kautilya states that "he is regarded as the best friend of a
king whose association with the king comes down directly from
father and grandfather, who is long-standing, who is open to
conviction, who never falls foul, and who is capable of making
preparations for war quickly on a large scale.96
96. पितृपैतामहं नित्यं वश्यमद्वैध्यं महल्लघुसमुत्थमिति मित्रसम्पत् ।
[pitṛpaitāmahaṃ nityaṃ vaśyamadvaidhyaṃ mahallaghusamutthamiti mitrasampat |
] Arthaśāstra, VI Adhikaraṇa (Maṇḍalayoni), I Adhyāya, p.320.