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The princes, who were in the line of succession to kingship, underwent strenuous courses under their teachers (in Gurukula - ashramas). In addition to education, a Rajakumara/Raja was required to lead a disciplined life and keep the company of respectable persons who could shape his character, thought and outlook to the ensure public welfare.  

The princes, who were in the line of succession to kingship, underwent strenuous courses under their teachers (in Gurukula - ashramas). In addition to education, a Rajakumara/Raja was required to lead a disciplined life and keep the company of respectable persons who could shape his character, thought and outlook to the ensure public welfare.  

That is how it was possible to produce outstanding kings known to history, who exhibited remarkable ability in administration, skill in warfare and mastery of the arts. A few who disregarded these guidelines became unpopular and stood condemned. Manu enjoins kings to shun vices as they lead them to excesses in the enjoyment of power and wealth resulting in the neglect of the affairs of state.

The outstanding rulers in the history of Bharata are known to have exhibited remarkable ability in administration, skill in warfare and mastery of the arts. This was possible due to the training imparted to them in and about Raja Dharma. Manu enjoins rulers to shun vices as they lead them to excesses in the enjoyment of power and wealth resulting in the neglect of the affairs of state.

The great stress laid on character and discipline on the part of kings applies with equal force to all persons who come to exercise political and administrative power under any system of government, if the people are to be really benefited. They are the internal checks which automatically control the evil propensities of men in power and position and prevent them from swerving from the path of rightenousness. These in-built traits are more effective than all the external constitutional and legal checks and inquiry commissions, though their importance cannot in any way be minimised.  

The great stress laid on character and discipline on the part of Rulers applies with equal force to all persons who come to exercise political and administrative power under any system of government, if the people are to be really benefited. They are the internal checks which automatically control the evil propensities of people in power and position and prevent them from swerving from the path of righteousness. And these in-built traits are more effective than all the external constitutional and legal checks and inquiry commissions, though their importance cannot in any way be minimised.  

Apart from laying down the code of conduct, the king was also required to ensure that there was no arbitrariness in state action. In this aspect Kautilya declared that the welfare of the people was the king's chief concern.<blockquote>प्रजासुखे सुखं राज्ञः प्रजानां च हिते हितम् । नात्मप्रियं हितं राज्ञः प्रजानां तु प्रियं हितम् ॥</blockquote><blockquote>''prajāsukhe sukhaṁ rājñaḥ prajānāṁ ca hite hitam । nātmapriyaṁ hitaṁ rājñaḥ prajānāṁ tu priyaṁ hitam ॥''</blockquote>Meaning: In the happiness of the subjects lies the king's happiness, in their welfare his welfare; what pleases himself the king shall not consider good but whatever pleases his subjects the king shall consider good.

Apart from laying down the code of conduct, the Raja was also required to ensure that there was no arbitrariness in state action. In this aspect, Kautilya declared that the welfare of the people was the Raja's chief concern.<blockquote>प्रजासुखे सुखं राज्ञः प्रजानां च हिते हितम् । नात्मप्रियं हितं राज्ञः प्रजानां तु प्रियं हितम् ॥</blockquote><blockquote>''prajāsukhe sukhaṁ rājñaḥ prajānāṁ ca hite hitam । nātmapriyaṁ hitaṁ rājñaḥ prajānāṁ tu priyaṁ hitam ॥''</blockquote>Meaning: In the happiness of the subjects lies the Ruler's happiness, in their welfare his welfare; what pleases himself the Ruler shall not consider good but whatever pleases his subjects the Ruler shall consider good.

==King Chandrapida and the Cobbler==

==King Chandrapida and the Cobbler==