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The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c14.s9.t5: 5. Nīlakaṇṭha's Nītimayūkha

The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c14.s9.t5

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5. Nīlakaṇṭha's Nītimayūkha

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A seventeenth century *nibandha* (digest)-writer on *nītiśāstra* is Nīlakaṇṭha the jurist (*c.* 1610-1645). His patron was Bhagvantadeva, a Bundellā ruler with capital at Bhareha near the confluence of the Jumna and the Chambal.¹ It is to be observed that even now Nīlakaṇṭha is held very high as jurist in Bombay, especially in the Maratha country. As his dates make him a contemporary of Jahangir, Shahjahan and Śivāji his work on *rājanīti* possesses a special value as throwing light on the intellectual ferment of that great epoch of new political movements.

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¹ Kane: *History of Dharmasastras* (Poona 1930) vol. I, pp. 438-440.

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The *Nīti-mayūkha*² is described in the colophon as a part of the larger work *Bhagavad-bhāskara*. The author Nīlakaṇṭha describes himself there as well as at the commencement as the son of Śaṅkara Bhaṭṭa, the *Mīmāṁsā* scholar. There is no reference to his patron. He says only that *rājanīti* is *nripādritā*, i.e., appreciated by kings.

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² Text edited by M. G. Bakre and V. R. Lele (Bombay 1921) without preface.

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The work is small in size and its contents can be seen in the following account:

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1. Invocation, 2. The category *Rājan*. 3. The consecration, described with verses from the *Viṣṇudharmottara Purāṇa*, *Devī Purāṇa*, *Brihat Saṁhitā* etc. as well as with a lengthy extract (prose) from the *Gopatha Brāhmaṇa* (pp. 7-42). 4. The *Saptāmga*. 5. The king's duties, described with long quotations from Kāmandaka among others, e.g., Manu and Yājnavalkya. The *Nītiśāstra* is also cited without Kāmandaka's name, 6. The eighteen vices of kings. In this section also Kāmandaka and *Nītisāra* loom large. Varāhamihira and Manu are cited among others. 7. The daily time-table. 8. The court of justice. 9. Meals. The examination of food with reference to poison is described on the strength of verses from Kāmandaka, Nārada and others. 10. Hunting. In this section Kāmandaka is the chief authority. In regard to hunting on land Nīlakaṇṭha once mentions Chāṇakya. 11. Evening functions. 12. Policy. Nīlakaṇṭha follows Manu who says that persons other than Brāhmaṇs also can be appointed as councillors and officers (p. 59). 13. Officers and servants. Kāmandaka is the chief authority. The *Mahābhārata* is also quoted. There are two verses from Chāṇakya.

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14. The *guṇas* (military attitudes) described virtually on the sole authority of Kāmandaka. 15. The sphere of twelve kings (*Dvadaśarājamaṇḍala*). Nīlakaṇṭha's authorities are Manu and Yājñavalkya. He has a verse from the *Rājamānasollāsa*. But it is strange that his favourite author Kāmandaka who is an authority on the doctrine of *maṇḍala* has been ignored by him in connection with this important topic. Nīlakaṇṭha has, however, thrown some fresh light on the kinds of friends, foes etc. Each has to be taken as falling into three classes, says he (p. 67). The first is the *sahaja* (natural) friend or foe, coming from among intimate relatives. The *kritrima* friend or foe is one who, because of benefits rendered or injuries inflicted by either side, becomes friendly or inimical. The third class of friends, foes etc. is called the *prākrita*. It comprises those states which are technically known as friends, foes etc. on account of their territorial or geographical propinquity, the neighbour being the enemy, the one next to the neighbour being the friend and so on. 16. The ministers, among whom the son is included. Kāmandaka is the chief authority. 17. The friend. 18. The treasure. Varāhamihira, the *Mahābhārata* and Kāmandaka are quoted. 19. The country and the people. 20. Forts. 21. The army. Varāhamihira, Māgha, Kāmandaka, and the *Mahābhārata* are the authorities. 22. Elephants. Four pages are devoted to this animal. The only authority quoted is Varāhamihira. 23. Horses, described on the strength of Varāhamihira. 24. The representative or ambassador. 25. The Spy. Kāmandaka is the authority for these two sections.

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26. The Expeditions and omens relating thereto. Varāhamihira is quoted. 27. The camping. 28. The general. Kāmandaka is the chief authority in regard to these two items. 29. *Kūṭayuddha* (unfair war), i.e., with forbidden (e.g. poisoned) weapons and other forms of generally forbidden things. Such wars are justified under certain circumstances. The authorities are Kāmandaka, Manu, Kātyāyana, and Brihaspati. 30. Exhortation to war. This is a rather lengthy chapter for this book of short chapters. Varāhamihira, *Yogayātrā*, *Mahābhārata*, Parāśara, *Gītā*, Manu, Nārāyaṇa, and Śamkha are quoted to show that even a sinner goes to heaven if he dies in the battlefield etc. (pp. 101-108). 31. Game.

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The *Nītimayūkha* is virtually an abridgment of the *Kāmandakīnīti*. It is interesting that Nīlakaṇṭha has not quoted the *Purāṇas* among his authorities in an appreciable manner. The *Viṣṇudharmottara* has been mentioned few and far between. He is specially interested in Varāhamihira and quotes the earlier *dharmaśāstras*, especially, Manu and Yājnavalkya. One can say that he is trying to revive the past. His atmosphere is that of a classicist. He is not interested in the latter-day writers. For all practical purposes his authorities belong mostly to the Gupta period.

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