Hindu Administrative Institutions c6.s3.24

c6.s3.24

Kauṭalya says समं वा त्रिवर्गमन्योन्यानुबन्धम् (I. 7). The three objects of life are intertwined with one another, and hence for the pursuit of life all these objects are equal and must be treated as such. This general statement he further qualifies. If one devotes more attention to any one of these objects to the neglect of the other two, the real object of life becomes unattainable. By this he causes trouble not only to one but also to the others (इतरौ). This is commented by Dr. Gaṇapati Śāstri thus: अर्थकामौ, धर्मकामौ, धर्मार्थौ (both *artha* and *kāma*, *dharma* and *kāma*, *dharma* and *artha*). Kauṭalya speaks of the third object of life thus: धर्मार्थऽविरोधेन कामं सेवेत । Pursue your *kāma* (desires) in such a manner that they do not come in conflict with *dharma* and *artha*. At the end of the discussion Kauṭalya cites it as his opinion that prominence should be given to *artha*. For *dharma* and *kāma* originate in *artha*. According to Vātsyāyana, to a king *artha* is more important than *dharma* and *kāma*; for it is by means of wealth that social order is maintained and the government of the land is carried on.⁴ In the *Cāṇakya Rāja Nīti Śāstra* the following occurs: By wealth alone *dharma* is fulfilled;