Hindu Administrative Institutions c8.s1.41

c8.s1.41

There are scholars who make capital out of these recommendations of the Arthaśāstra by characterising them as immoral. Judged by theoretical standards of ethics they may be described as unmoral. But it must be remembered that *dharma* in India is wedded even to secular arts. The administration of the state to be efficient, to be beneficial, must depend on the character of the monarch guiding its destinies. If a prince, the king of to-morrow, is devoid of character (*dharma* and *nīti*) he could not but be treated as an enemy to the state.¹ We have innumerable examples to show how princes like the sons of Yayāti and Viśvāmitra became menials owing to the violation of the orders of the king, and how on the other hand Paraśurāma and Rāma who showed unquestioning obedience to their parents became successful ultimately in life.²