The Mauryan Polity c7.s5.t2: Protection of life and property

The Mauryan Polity c7.s5.t2

Language: English

Protection of life and property

c7.s5.t2.1

Secondly, the state aimed at the *yogakṣema* of its citizens. This is protection of life and property as we understand it to-day. Hence the king is entitled as the *lokayātrārthi*. Progress of the world largely depends on the administration of the land by the king.¹ This is by the proper exercise of *daṇḍa* which is punishing the wicked and the wrong-doer, thus enabling the individual citizens to pursue their avocations in peace, undisturbed. In the conduct of his administration the king looked upon all people, of whatever caste or community, equally and impartially.²

c7.s5.t2.2

¹ *Ar. śās.* Bk. I, Ch. 4.

c7.s5.t2.3

² *sarvabhūta hite rataḥ*—*Ibid.*, I, Ch. 5. See N. C. Bandyopadhyāya, *Development of Hindu Polity and Political Theories*; Pt. I (Cal. 1927), p. 295-ff.

Linked texts (1)

Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit