The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c13.s3.t3.2

c13.s3.t3.2

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