The Mauryan Polity c12.12

c12.12

neglected and decadent condition. This receives corroboration from the Aśokan Edicts where Aśoka expresses in certain places the neglect of certain institutions and the practice of some aspects of *dharma* by his predecessors. The elevation to the throne of an orthodox King like Candragupta led automatically to the elevation of both the *śāstra* and the *śastra*. Kauṭalya who could have played no mean part in bringing about this happy consummation, has expressed in this verse his contempt for the Nandas and his relief at the succession of Candragupta. As I have said elsewhere he compliments the king by complimenting himself. The verse is then a visible demonstration, by Kauṭalya, of his satisfaction at the new state of affairs of the kingdom with Candragupta at its head. And rightly Professor Jacobi reads into these lines "the proud self-consciousness of a great statesman of the Indian Bismarck" as he calls Kauṭalya.