The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c13.s3.t3.4

c13.s3.t3.4

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).