History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v1.c6.s75.18

v1.c6.s75.18

Another work of Caṇḍeśvara, the Rājanītiratnākara, has been recently edited at Patna (1924) by Mr. K. P. Jayasval with a learned introduction dealing with the personal history of Caṇḍeśvara, his relations with the Maithila kings and the mediaeval Indian literature on politics. It appears that Caṇḍeśvara did not complete the writing of a work on politics when he compiled his great digest. He wrote the work at the command of the king Bhaveśa (or Bhaveśvara) of Mithilā.⁸⁸² The work contains 16 *taraṅgas* (waves, i. e. chapters) on the following subjects :—definition of a king, different grades of kings, the eighteen vices or calamities for kings, duties of kings ; the characteristics and duties of *amātyas* (councillors) ; the characteristics of *purohita* ; the characteristics and duties of a *prāḍvivāka* (Judge); the members of the hall of justice (sabhyas), their number and qualifications; concerning forts; the time and place and accessories of the settlement of royal policy; concerning the state treasury; the army; the commander-in-chief and the discipline of the army ; ambassadors, allies, and spies; the general obligations of kings, conflict of Dharmaśāstra and Arthaśāstra, the six *guṇas* -- saṁdhi etc., the maṇḍala of kings ; the king's power of punishment; abdication by king, the heir-apparent, impartibility of the kingdom; the eldest son's right to succeed, the seven constituent elements of the state; the state's obligation towards the poor, the helpless etc.; the coronation of the heirapparent or his investiture.