Hindu Administrative Institutions c6.s5.1

c6.s5.1

The conception underlying both Hindu society and Hindu state is that they are organisms. That a certain amount of organic unity also existed in their concept of the state is well attested by evidence. Kauṭalya speaks of organized state (प्रत्यङ्गभूत) connoting the idea of the limbs of the state-body. It even demonstrates the fact of organic unity among these various limbs of government. The state is said to possess seven limbs (some translate as elements of sovereignty), each discharging its ordained function, all ultimately contributing to the welfare of the body-politic. The seven constituents of the state are the same whether they are found in the *Dharmaśāstra* or the *Arthaśāstra* literature. They are the king (*svāmin*), the minister (*amātya*), the territory (*janapada*), the fort (*durga*), the treasury (*kośa*), the army (*daṇḍa*), and the ally (*mitra*). Kauṭalya calls them *prakṛtis*.¹ The *Srīmulam Commentary* remarks परस्परं प्रकृष्टं उपकुर्वन्ति इति प्रकृतयः । It means that each contributes to the efficient functioning of the others.