Essay name: Panchatantra: A reflex of Arthashastra
Author:
M. N. Indrani
Affiliation: Karnatak University / Department of Sanskrit
The essay studies the Panchatantra in relation to the Arthashastra by proposing that that Indian fable literature divides into educative and entertaining narratives, both traced back to the sacred Vedic texts. It highlights the 'Pancatantra' and its kin as representative of educative stories.
Chapter 4 - Arthashastra and Panchatantra—a comparison
12 (of 84)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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127
hidden in the duties of the king, is upheld in the Arthaśāstra
too. Kautilya declares that in the happiness of his subjects lies
king's happiness, in his welfare; whatever pleases himself he
should not consider as good. But whatever pleases his subjects
he should consider it as good. Hence, the king should ever be
active and discharge his duties; the root of the wealth is
activity, and of evil its reverse.
In the absence of activity acquisitions present and to come
will perish; by activity he can achieve both his desired ends and
abundance of wealth. 19
ii. Cruel King
As a matter of fact, a king of unrighteous characters and of
vicious habits will, though emperor, fall a prey either to the fury
of his own subjects or to that of his enemies. 20
19. प्रजासुख� सुखं राज्ञः प्रजानां � हिते हितम� �
[prajāsukhe sukha� rājña� prajānā� ca hite hitam |
] �
नात्मप्रिय� हितं राज्ञः प्रजानां तु प्रियं हितम� � ४३ �
[nātmapriya� hita� rājña� prajānā� tu priya� hitam || 43 ||
] Arthaśāstra, I Adhikarana (Vinayadhikarikam) XIX Adhyāya, p. 59.
तस्मान्नित्योत्थित� राजा कुर्यादर्थानुशासनम� �
अर्थस्� मूलमुत्थानमनर्थस्य विपर्ययः � ४४ �
[tasmānnityotthito rājā kuryādarthānuśāsanam |
arthasya mūlamutthānamanarthasya viparyaya� || 44 ||
] ' Arthaśastra, I Adhikarana (Vinayadhikarikam) XIX Adhyāya, p. 59.
अनुत्थान� ध्रुवो नाशः प्राप्तस्यानागतस्य � �
प्राप्यत� फलमुत्थानाल्लभते चार्थसम्पदम् � ४५ �
[anutthāne dhruvo nāśa� prāptasyānāgatasya ca |
prāpyate phalamutthānāllabhate cārthasampadam || 45 ||
] Arthaśāstra, I Adhikarana (Vinayādhikarikam) XIX Adhyāya, p. 59.
20 ततस्सदुष्टप्रकृतिश्चातुरन्तोऽप्यनात्मवान� �
हन्यते वा प्रकृतिभिर्यात� वा द्विषतां वशम् �
[tatassaduṣṭaprakṛtiścāturanto'pyanātmavān |
hanyate vā prakṛtibhiryāti vā dviṣatā� vaśam ||
] Arthaśāstra, VI Adhikarana (Mandalayoni) I Adhyāya, p. 320.
