Studies in Ancient Hindu Polity (Based on the Arthashastra of Kautilya), Vol. I c3.61

c3.61

Of the next three passages, the first passage relates itself to the opening words of the text, the second promises the attainment of त्रिवर्ग as the end of the *Arthaśāstra*, while the last verse indicates who the author is, not by mentioning his name, which had already appeared twice, but by enumerating his virtues or achievements with incomparably forcible brevity. This is not the language of vain self-glorification, but of one who speaks self-possessed from the height of human fame. But, as Prof. Jacobi well observes, in spite of the self-consciousness undiluted by any sham modesty, one still perceives in the words of Chandra Gupta’s Chancellor a courtly discretion which omits to mention the name of his master whom he had raised to the throne, for in that connexion it would have been supremely indecorous. This graceful self-restraint, this aristocratic reserve, is very significant and well worthy of the man and his position in life. It is only a later author, untrammelled by such discretion or restraint, who can unreservedly mention the name of Emperor Chandra Gupta in connexion with the eulogy of Kauṭilya as Kâmandaka, for instance, has done in the passage quoted above.¹ Lastly, the full significance of the phrase “धर्मेण जज्ञतं” has to be noted.