The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c13.s1.7

c13.s1.7

Now, if we are looking for a sacral theory of kingship, its origin and nature, we are bound to be disappointed. Kauṭilya does know such theories, but he treats them with characteristic disdain. Thus some secret agents should refer to such theories while their colleagues maintain that the king is simply an oppressor devoid of virtue; the reactions of the public to these altercations will then provide something of an opinion poll.¹⁰ These apparently popular theories are not refuted, they are simply left to subsist on their own, popular level, where they may even have some usefulness. But as a source of legitimation, they are completely indifferent to Kauṭilya. In fact it would seem that Kauṭilya would prefer his king to break away from the sacrality or divinity of kingship as a basis of the state.