History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c62.256

v4.c62.256

Yāj. I. 343 says 'since the State depends upon *mantra* (i. e. lines of policy arrived at after consultation with ministers), the king should keep his lines of policy secret in such a way that people should not know them till the results of his undertakings manifest themselves'. Kauṭilya (X. 6 last verse) emphasizes the importance of mantra in 'an arrow discharged by an archer may kill one man or none at all, but a (well-considered) scheme put into operation by a wise man may destroy even those who are only conceived'.¹⁴² Both Sabhāparva 5. 27 and Ayodhyā 100. 16 have the same verse, viz. *mantra* is the root of victory.¹⁴³ Kauṭilya and the Nītivākyāmṛta p. 114 say that *mantra* accomplishes the following, viz. the apprehension of what is not or cannot be seen, imparting the strength of definite conclusion to what is apprehended, removal of doubt when two courses or opinions are possible, inference of an entire matter when only a part is seen.¹⁴⁴ In most works such as Kauṭ. I. 15, Kām. XI. 56, Agnipurāṇa 241. 4, Pañcatantra I. p. 85, Mānasollāsa (II. 9 verse 697 ff, p. 92) it is said that *mantra* has five elements which have to be considered (it is *pañcāṅga*), viz. means of carrying out actions (or works), plenty of men and materials, proper allotment of time and place, remedies against pitfalls, the (happiness of the kingdom or people) that will result from the accomplishment of the course decided upon.¹⁴⁵