The Rashtrakutas and their Times c23.s2.32

c23.s2.32

Gangadhāra, the capital of a feudatory Chālukya house in southern Karnatak, was a centre of considerable literary activity by the middle of the 10th century. It was there that Somadeva flourished and wrote his works *Yasastilaka* and *Nitivākyāmṛta*⁴⁶. The first of these works, though sectarian in purpose is of no inconsiderable literary merit; it belongs to the variety of the *Champū* and its author shows considerable skill in the treatment of his theme. The second work is on the science of politics; it has, however, hardly much independent value as it is largely based on the *Artha-s'āstra* of Kauṭalya. The work is, however, almost entirely free from any sectarian tinge and is written from a much higher moral point than the *Arthas'astra* of Kauṭalya.