Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c13.s1.2

c13.s1.2

The prologue of the Pañchatantra indicates its motive. A king Amṛtaśakti of Mahilāropya sets his three sons to school. But the princes display an incurable aversion to all study. The monarch is in despair. The paṇḍitas whom he consults only tell him that at least twelve further years are required for grammar which must precede all other studies. Then Viṣṇuśarman steps in and offers to show an easy way of acquiring the accomplishments essential for princes. The Pañchatantra¹ incorporates the traditional political maxims and puts them into the mouth of birds and animals. In the course of one anecdote we are told that the prosperity of kings is bound up with that of subjects. If the latter decline, the former are ruined. Every king should nurse his kingdom and should not be too exacting in his demands. A little later we are informed that a fort is more useful than a thousand elephants and a hundred thousand horses.²