Studies in Ancient Hindu Polity (Based on the Arthashastra of Kautilya), Vol. I c3.43

c3.43

Secondly, we should note the fact that the two greater parts of the Arthaśāstra contain no mention of opposite views, viz. pages 69–156 and 197–253 of the book, comprising parts of Books entitled अध्यक्षप्रचार, कण्टकशोधन, and योगवृत्तं, the last chapter of which treats of the significant subject “What is to happen in cases of imminent vacancy of throne?” Those parts do not treat the general principles so much as practical regulations in detail, such as administration, control of trade and industry, the police, the budget, and the like, about which scholasticism has no need to trouble itself but which are of the greatest moment to the practical statesman. We accordingly find that in his treatment of those subjects Kauṭilya does not take any opportunity for controversy, and stands there all alone with no previous tradition to consider or criticize. This is also evident from the significance of the word “प्रायशः”¹ in the opening line of the book which refers to the previous Âchâryyas.