The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c15.s1.7

c15.s1.7

The *Mahâbhârata*² maintains this tradition in so far at least as it considers the priests to be the "non-official" mouth-pieces of the people, and the councillors as their "natural leaders", the Platonic "guardians". Finally, in a discussion of the *Artha-śâstra* it is even established that the state has its "sole prop" in the ministry (*mantri-pariṣat*).³ The *amâtya* of the Kautilyan theory is in essence an organ through which the folk-will can be brought to bear on the constitution.