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Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c9.s1: Debates on Polity and Governance

Vāda in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c9.s1

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English

Debates on Polity and Governance

c9.s1.1

One of the major disciplines taken up for discussions and debates was Arthaśāstra (management, polity and diplomacy). In *Rāmāyaṇa* there is a long discussion on king’s duties and policies for governance initiated by Rāma during the course of his queries about the wellness when Bharata visits him in Citrakūṭa. Rāma asks Bharata:

c9.s1.2

Is it so that you pay due regard to the preceptor Sudhanvan, who is equipped with excellent arms and is expert in Arthaśāstra?⁶

c9.s1.3

In fact, the prolonged queries here present a discussion on the subject of *prajāpālana* (nourishment of subjects by a king). The *mantraṇā* (counselling) is the base on which this polity proceeds and counselling is not be done singularly, it is always with a selected group.⁷ This *mantraṇā* should properly employ *yuktis* (logic) and *tarkas* (arguments) to arrive at the *mantra*.⁸ Rāma also suggests that instead of approaching thousands of fools, a king must engage in discussions with one wise man only.⁹ Further, Rāma suggests that the king should do counselling with three or four counsellors only, either together or one by one.¹⁰

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