The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c11.s8.26

c11.s8.26

As for the Indian Kauṭalyalogists, all of whom virtually belong to the pro-tradition group (with the exception of R. G. Bhandarkar and Pran Nath), it is time for them to accept the proposition referred to above, namely, that the *Arthaśāstra* is a *darśanam*, a *śāstra*, a book of *vidyā* and just like other *śāstras* of Hindu literature written by a Paṇḍit. It contains pious wishes of all sorts, norms, platitudes, ideals, duties, things that ought to be done, and what not, such as belong to every philosophical treatise. Besides, it is impossible to argue out of existence the innumerable hair-splitting groupifications, the hyper-logical discussions *pro* and *contra*, etc., in the manner of the Sākyan (Buddhist) *Nikāyas*, for instance, that mark many of the chapters.