Chandragupta Maurya and His Times c8.18

c8.18

Counsellors (*Mantrīs*). The policy and plan of administration count more than its details. The first duty that awaits the king as he arises from sleep is, as we have seen, his contemplation of the policy which must inform his government (*mantraṁ adhyāsīta*). As Kauṭilya points out [I. 15], all administrative work is preceded by the determination of policy (*mantra-pūrvāḥ sarvārambhāḥ*). At the same time, it is recognized that the policy must be hatched in secret, while it cannot be determined by the king himself. Thus the question is, How many should the king take into confidence and consult as his counsellors or advisers? Therefore, Bharadvāja thought that secrecy of policy would be impossible except with one counsellor. Viśālāksha answers him by saying that it might be *mantragupti* but not *mantrasiddhi*. Success of policy is more important than its secrecy. "Therefore," says he, "the king should take counsel with a number of wise men." According to the School of Parāśara, however, this is only *mantrajñāna* but not *mantrasaṁrakshaṇam*, that is, 'ascertaining advice, but not keeping counsel.' They rather advise consulting a minister on a hypothetical case. According to Piśuna, such a minister will not take the matter seriously but will give his advice half-heartedly. Advice is responsible only on business that is pending. By this is secured both good counsel (*mantrabuddhi*) as well as its secrecy (*gupti*). Kauṭilya objects to this method as being uncertain (*anavasthā*). He recommends the appointment of permanent Advisors of the king, either three or four in number. He does not recommend two for fear of their combination against the king. It should of course be open to the king to take counsel with only one or two of them according to need (*deśakālakāryavaśena*).