The Mauryan Polity c9.s1.5

c9.s1.5

It has been shown elsewhere that Kauṭalya’s political philosophy more agrees with that of the sage Nārada in the same epic.³ The fundamental ideas common to both are that conquest is not an end in itself. The victory is counter-balanced by responsibilities, and acquisitions by the necessity of having to provide for safeguarding them. The general principle of the *Kauṭalīya*, then, is the practice of the first two means of diplomacy, *sāma* and *dāna* towards the local chieftains, and the last two means *bheda* and *daṇḍa* towards foreigners. This prescription is in accordance with that of Manu the law-giver.⁴ In formulating this policy Kauṭalya, being a sound politician, discriminates between local people and foreigners, and shows his leniency towards the former. Kauṭalya is practical when he concludes this portion of the discourse by saying that internal risings must first be dealt with. He is of opinion that, without internal peace and security, foreign expeditions should not be launched upon. The following is the reflection of Kauṭalya on diplomacy. "An arrow shot by an archer may or may not kill a person, but the skilful diplomacy of a wise man kills even those unborn."¹