The Mauryan Polity c7.s5.t4: Proper administration of justice

The Mauryan Polity c7.s5.t4

Language: English

Proper administration of justice

c7.s5.t4.1

It was again his duty to see that justice was properly administered so that there would be no violation of the rules and laws established. Hence the king is called *dharma-pravartaka*.² Proper protection and impartial justice, it is said, find to the king the abode of heaven. In meting out justice, a king should make no distinction between his son and an enemy.³ In a word, punishment was to be regulated according to the gravity of the offence.⁴

c7.s5.t4.2

² *Ibid.*, Bk. III, Ch. 1.

c7.s5.t4.3

³ *Ibid.*

c7.s5.t4.4

⁴ *Ibid.*, Bk. IV, Ch. 4 and 10.

Linked texts (1)

Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit