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The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c11.s1.t38: Kauṭalya as Chancellor of Chandragupta

The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c11.s1.t38

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Kauṭalya as Chancellor of Chandragupta

c11.s1.t38.1

The *Arthaśāstra* is postulated to have been written towards the end of the fourth century B.C. In this standpoint Breloer, to use his own words, follows his *guru* Jacobi, who recognized the authenticity of the work at the very outset while other well-known investigators are still sceptical. From the aphoristic language of the text no conclusions can be drawn as to the age, says he. “The authoritative grammar of Pāṇini which in point of quality is until today unsurpassed in the world should appear to be not far remote from the *Arthaśāstra* in time (*zeitlich nicht weit vom Arthaśāstra entfernt*).”

c11.s1.t38.2

The reasons for the scepticism of researchers he finds in their absence of knowledge regarding the facts with which the text deals and in over-cautiousness. It is because of these circumstances that, according to him, researchers have been led to conclude that a *Stuben-Gelehrter*, a “*ṭulo Paṇḍit*” (as we say in Bengal) or an academic scholar who knows only his little institution or working room has “compiled this magnificent work out of authentic sources.”⁶

c11.s1.t38.3

⁶ Vol. III, pp. 91-92, 538.

c11.s1.t38.4

Breloer is, on the contrary, convinced that any body who has studied with careful eye only the artistic structure of finance as embodied in this treatise would at once reject such a possibility. In his judgment the content of the work, no matter who be the author, mirrors forth actual life, practice and experience (*reales Leben*, *Praxis und Erfahrung*).

c11.s1.t38.5

Kauṭalya has been accepted as *Kanzler* (Chancellor) by Breloer. About the quality of Kauṭalya's treatise Breloer makes the following observation: “It is animated by a powerful mind, such as cannot be misled or confused. The work has thereby been conducted to the highest height of political thought (*auf die höchste Höhe der politischen Gesinnung*).”⁷

c11.s1.t38.6

⁷ Vol. III, pp. 300-302, 538.

c11.s1.t38.7

The fundamental tone of the treatise is one of confidence (*zuversichtliche Grundstimmung*) which draws its strength from the certainty of experience or practical work (*Erfahrung*) and is fully conscious of the contrast with experiment.” Breloer means that in the preparation of the *Arthaśāstra* Kauṭalya was guided by the experience of things actually done rather than by what might be done as a result of experiments. The author is thus believed to have been more a practical statesman than otherwise.

Cites (2)