The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c13.s1.6

c13.s1.6

It has been asserted that the *Arthaśāstra* is first and foremost concerned with matters of practical administration and that it has little to say on theoretical issues such as the origin and nature of the state.⁹ The practical aspects are certainly prominent, but primarily in the sense that practical politics depends on objective discussion. The *Arthaśāstra's* concern is with the terminology, arguments, and method that should articulate debate and help in reaching appropriate decisions. This should warn us against relying too confidently on it for our knowledge of the realities of ancient Indian political life. Perhaps its greatest importance for us lies in the field of theory, for the *Arthaśāstra* seems to be based on and permeated with a particular conception of state and kingship.