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The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c10.s15: The Arthaśāstras

The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c10.s15

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The Arthaśāstras

c10.s15.1

The topics of *Dharma sūtras* (*śāstras*) as discussed above enable us to realize that these books are in the main treatises of "private" law (i.e. the law relating to family or marriage, property, contract and so forth). In contrast with them the *Arthaśāstras* may be regarded as treatises on "public law" (*droit public*), the law of the constitution, the polity, the *saptāṁga* or seven-limbed organism, the state.

c10.s15.2

Among the precursors of Kauṭalya in *Artha* speculations the following "schools" are noted by himself:²⁴

c10.s15.3

²⁴ K. V. R. Aiyangar: *Some Aspects of Ancient Indian Polity* (Madras 1935) p. 50. N. C. Bandyopadhyaya: *Kauṭilya* (Calcutta 1927) pp. 19-21. M. Winternitz: *Geschichte der indischen Literatur* (Leipzig 1921) Vol. III. pp. 507-509. Jacobi: "Über die Echtheit" etc. in the *S.K.P.A.W.* (Berlin 1912) pp. 837-838.

c10.s15.4

1. The Mānavas.
2. The Bārhaspatyas.
3. The Auśanasas.
4. Ghoṭakamukha.
5. The Āmbhiyas.

c10.s15.5

The Kauṭalyan text cites the following individuals as professors of *Arthaśāstra* who preceded the author:

c10.s15.6

1. Kātyāyana.
2. Kiñjalka.
3. Kauṇapadanta (Bhīṣma).
4. Ghoṭakamukha.
5. Dīrghachārāyaṇa.
6. Parāśara.
7. Piśuna (Nārada).
8. Piśunaputra.
9. Bāhudantīputra.
10. Bhāradvāja (Droṇāchārya).
11. Vātavyādhi (Uddhava).
12. Viśālākṣa (Śiva).
13. Kaṇinko Bhāradvāja.

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