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The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c13.s3.t3: 3. Bhoja's Yuktikalpataru

The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c13.s3.t3

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3. Bhoja's Yuktikalpataru

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The literary activities and propaganda of Rājā Bhoja of Dhārā (Malwa) during the eleventh century (*c* 1050) have been handed down as a venerable tradition in India. A textbook of *Nītiśāstra* is also ascribed to his pen or patronage. While dealing with this work it is necessary to get oriented to the "Vikramādityas" of Indian culture.

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The association of gods and *Riṣis* with the works on *Nīti* and allied topics, and the tradition about their vast size and large number, as well as the custom of attributing works to one's *gurus* (teachers or preceptors) make the problem of a systematic treatment of Hindu political, social or economic science all the more difficult. Equally puzzling is the association of works with historical characters, men of real flesh and blood, round whom, however, legends like those of Alexander and Charlemagne have grown up mystifying their age, *locale* as well as personality. One such work is *Yuktikalpataru*, giving "an account of all requirements in a royal court," as Aufrecht observes in the *Catalogus Catalogorum*. The work was first noticed by Rajendralal Mitra, and since his time, has been drawn upon by Indologists in their treatment of things Indian, specially secular matters. The work is attributed to King Bhoja (Vikramāditya) of Dhārā in Malwa and has been described by the author as compiled from *nibandhas* or treatises of various *munis* or masters on the subjects. The following account of the work is being given from the manuscript (108 leaves, written in Bengali character, belonging to Prof. Ādityarām Bhattāchārya) in the possession of the Pāṇini Office.²⁰

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²⁰ Available in print from another manuscript (Calcutta Oriental Series, 1917).

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The botanical name of the work has been explained at the beginning just after the salutation to Kṛiṣṇa, “the Parameśvara, who by undoing the happiness of Kamsa did really promote his happiness, who is worshipped by the gods and is really unadorable,” and to the “makers of Śāstras whose words purify good men, even for the hearing.” Just as a *Kalpa-vrikṣa* or the wishing-tree (like the wishing-cow), celebrated in Hindu mythical lore, yields the satisfaction of all desires, so “wise men by resorting to this *Kalpataru* (the treatise so-called) can achieve the most longed-for objects.” The root of this tree is *Daṇḍanīti* (the science of punishment), the stem is *Jyotiṣa* (implying astronomy, astrology, horoscope and mathematics according to the conception of the Hindus), the branches and flowers are the diverse *Vidyās* which deal with the facts observed (or the phenomenal world), the fruits are unknown, and the *rasa* or sap is the nectar of the good, i.e., promotes their welfare.” “That *Kalpataru* should be respected by kings and ministers, who ought to study their affairs and deliberate on them according to its dictates as well as those of other *śāstras*.'' ''This is most conductive to the welfare of kings and promotes also the weal of others'' (i.e., people).

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Thus the very definition of the term *Yukti-Kalpataru*, as the title of a book, introduces the topics of a *Nīti Śāstra*; and, as a matter of fact, all the subjects dealt with in the work are the proper themes of works like *Śukranīti*. The following table of contents in the *Yukti Kalpataru* would indicate that the work is, like the *Artha-śāstra*, *Kāmandakīnīti*, *Śukranīti*, and *Ghaṭakarpara-nīti*, really a socio-economic and socio-political treatise, and is an additional document of Hindu secular literature in the field of *Dharmasūtras*, *Arthaśāstras* or *Nītiśāstras* :

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1. *Nīti śāstra*. 2. *Guru* (Preceptor) and *Purohita* (Priest). 3. *Amātya* (Land Revenue Officer). *Mantrī* (Foreign minister) and *Dūta* (Ambassador). 4. *Lekhaka* (Scribe) and *Jyotirjna* (Astronomer). 5. *Purādhyakṣa* (Mayor or Superintendent of the City), *Vanādhyakṣa* (Superintendent of Parks and Forests). 6. *Koṣavardhana* (Development of Financial resources). 7. *Rājadāyāda* (Sharers of the royal income). 8. *Kriṣi karma* (Agriculture). 9. *Rathin* (Charioteer), *Sādi* (Horsemen or Cavalry). 10. *Gajāroha* (Art of elephant mounting, driving etc.) 11. *Yāna* (Land and Water conveyances). 12. *Yātrā* (Expeditions). 13. *Vigraha* (Warfare). 14. *Chara* (Spy). 15. *Dūtalakṣaṇa* (Characteristics of ambassadors and spies). 16. *Sandhi* (Truce and Peace). 17. *Āsana* (Siege). 18. *Dvaidha* (Duplicity—a military technical term in siege-craft). 19. *Āśraya* (Seeking refuge or protection). 20. *Daṇḍa* (Punishment).

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21. *Mantra* (Policy or statecraft). 22-3. *Dvandva* (Rivalry and hostilities undertaken under two sets of circumstances, e.g., i. *Akritrima*, i.e., conditions of natural fortifications and, ii. *Kritrima*, i.e., conditions of artificial barriers and barricades, etc.), described with quotations from *Nīti Śāstra*, Garga, and one Bhoja.

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24. *Pura-nirmāṇa* (Building of cities). 25. *Kāla* (Auspicious time). 26. The *Vasati* (Arrangement of various wards or quarters) described by quotations from Bhoja and Parāśara. 27. *Doṣaguṇa* (Good and bad effects, according to Astrology). 28. *Vāstu* (Houses). 29. *Dingnirṇaya* (Directions). 30. *Lakṣaṇa* (Style or characteristics of buildings). 31. *Māna* (Measurements). 32. *Doṣaguṇa* (good and bad effects). 33. *Kālanirṇaya* (When to begin building new houses). 34. *Vāstu pravesakāla* (When to enter new houses). 35. *Dvāranirṇaya* (Laying out of doors). 36. *Prāchīra* (walls). 37-41. *Vāstudaṇḍa* (Various measurements of houses), *Vināśa griha*, *Ranga*-and *Rāja-griha* (the twelve kinds of buildings).

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42. *Āsanas* (Thrones). 43. *Khaṭikās* (Bedsteads). 44. *Pīṭha* (Stools made of metals, stones or wood). 45. *Chhatras* (Umbrellas). 46. *Dhvajā* (Flags). 47. *Chāmara* (Flap). 48. *Chasaka* (Drinking vessels). 49. *Vastra* (Clothes). 50. *Alankāra* (Ornaments).

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51. Diamond. 52. *Padmarāga* (Species of emerald). 53-4. Examination, prices etc., of diamonds. 55. Examination of *Vidruma* (Corals). 56. *Gomeda*. 77-8. Pearls—their examination and prices. 59. *Vaiduryya*, *Indranīla* (Sapphire). 60. *Chhāyā* (Transmitted Light). 61. *Marakata* (Emerald, its origin, and good and bad effects). 62. *Puṣparāga* (Topaz). 63. *Bhiṣmamaṇi*.

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64. *Pulaka*. 65. *Sphatika* (Quartz). 66. *Ayaskānta*. 67. *Śaṅkha* (Conch).

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68. *Astra* (Missile). 69. *Khaḍga* (Dagger). 70. *Dhanu* (Bow). 71. *Bāṇa* (Arrow). 72-3. *Yātrā* (Expedition), the proper time for it. 74. *Nīrājanā* (Ceremony with horses and elephants).

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75-9. Horses—Testing, their defects, how to strike them, etc. 80. *Ritucharyyā* (Seasons—and seasonal treatment of horses). 81-2. Elephants. 83-5. The Examination, Merits and Defects of Bulls. 86. Buffaloes. 87. Deer. 88. Dogs. 89. Goats. 90-3. Carriages of various kinds.

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94. *Naukā Kāṣṭha* (Woods or timber for boats). 95. Boats of various kinds.

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