The Mauryan Polity c8.s1.t5: The king and the council
The Mauryan Polity c8.s1.t5
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The king and the council
c8.s1.t5.1
The next question is whether the king who was of course the President of the Council was expected to act in administrative affairs with the previous consent of the council or he could act on his own initiative. As an answer to this Kauṭalya definitely lays down the significant statement¹ that the administration of the kingdom is learnt from personal knowledge (*pratyakṣa*), and from devoted friends (*parokṣa*), members of the cabinet to speak in modern political parlance. Kauṭalya is repeating this statement which he has already given in the chapter entitled *mantripurohitotpatti*.² In fact he seems to lay emphasis on this point with the implication that the king expected the assistance of *mantrins* and the *purohita* for all *rājakarmas*, *i.e.*, carrying on the government of the state.³ Again it is said that a government, which is carried on according to the injunctions of the *śāstras*, where the *purohita* plays a significant role, and where definite action is taken on the resolution of the council, attains unqualified success, without any resort to field engagements.⁴
c8.s1.t5.2
¹ pratyakṣaparokṣānumeyā hi rājavṛttiḥ|
c8.s1.t5.3
² Bk. I, Ch. 9.
c8.s1.t5.4
³ See commentary of Gaṇapati Śāstri: pratyakṣaparokṣeṭyādivākyena rājakarmaṇaḥ sarvasya sahāya-sāpekṣatvam mantripurohitotpattiprakaraṇoktam smārayati| Vol. I, p. 73.
c8.s1.t5.5
⁴ Bk. I, Ch. 9.
Linked texts (1)
- Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit