Chandragupta Maurya and His Times c7.37

c7.37

**Maxims for Royalty.** Lastly, the *Arthaśāstra* contains the following eloquent exhortation to the king: "for a king, his *vrata* (religious vow) is constant activity in the cause of his people (*Utthānam*); his best religious ceremony is the work of administration (*Kāryānuśāsanam*); his highest charity (*Dakshiṇā*) is equality of treatment meted out to all."