Public Administration in Ancient India c10.77

c10.77

The chief possessions of a King which, according to Chānakya, would enable him to properly perform his duties were: Noble birth, godlike intelligence, valour, ability to see through the eyes of experienced persons, love of virtue, truthfulness, straightforwardness, gratefulness, comprehensiveness of outlook (sthūla-laksha), enthusiasm, want of procrastination, resoluteness of spirit, and a Council of a fairly large size (akshudra-parishatka). Chānakya also mentions the following as the most important of the regal qualities: profound knowledge; good memory; a strong mind; enthusiasm for work; versatility; ability to confer rewards and inflict punishments; capacity to guard against dangers and calamities; dignity; foresight; readiness to avail one’s self of opportunities; ability to decide upon peace and war and to take advantage of the weak points of an enemy; ability to be humorous without loss of dignity; freedom from passion, wrath, greed, obstinacy, fickleness, and hatred; possession of a smiling countenance; and observance of customs enjoined by aged persons.¹