Chandragupta Maurya and His Times c7.44

c7.44

A high purpose informed this exacting programme of work and gave it shape. It has been thus summed up by Kauṭilya [I. 7]. "The king is to grow in wisdom and statesmanship (*prajñā*) by contact with the elders in wisdom; to develop insight (*chakshu*) into the affairs of the people through the instrumentality of his Intelligence Officers (*chāreṇa*); to achieve the welfare and happiness of his people by his constant labours (*utthānena*); uphold the social order (*svadharmasthāpanam*) by the exercise of his administrative authority (*kāryānuśāsanena*); to attain discipline by following the injunctions of his teachers; to achieve popularity through proper administrative measures securing the employment of the people (*arthasaṁyogena*); and to regulate his life (*vṛttiṁ*) by the standard of promoting public good (*hitena*).”