Studies in Ancient Hindu Polity (Based on the Arthashastra of Kautilya), Vol. I c3.17

c3.17

master of all branches of knowledge.”¹ It is hardly necessary for our present purpose to prove by quotations that with Kâmandaka the work of Kauṭilya was not a mere tradition but an actual masterpiece, which has been throughout his *Nītisāra* used as his original authority, even supplying many of his words and phrases. Nay, Kâmandaka has, it may be said, abridged by making omissions: the entire portions of the second, third, fourth and fourteenth Books of the *Arthaśāstra* find no place in the *Nītisāra*. Thus the work of Kâmandaka supplies very good evidence to show that the work of Kauṭilya was a reality. The second piece of evidence bearing on the point is furnished by the *Daśakumāracharita* of Daṇḍin. In the *Somadatta-utpattikathā* [l. 1] there is a reference to both Kauṭilya and Kâmandaka as authorities on Nītiśāstra,² while in the eighth chapter of Part II occurs the following remarkable reference to Kauṭilya³: