Changes

Jump to navigation Jump to search
no edit summary
Line 16: Line 16:  
== Contents ==
 
== Contents ==
 
The Arthashastra is a compilation of  15 ''Adhikaranas'' (Books), with each adhikararana divided further into 150 ''Adhyayas'' (Chapters) which are further subdivided into 180 Prakaranas (Sections), 380 ''karikas'' with 6000 ''shlokas (''verses) and 32 syllabic units in all.. The following is a brief account of the composition within various Adhikaranas, Adhyayas and Prakaranas. Arthashastram begins with veneration to two great political thinkers Sukra and Brhaspati and Kautalya makes an honest submission of this so as not to take the credit all unto himself. He also refers to theories of other authors and well known schools in the field of economics and politics and sastras of the Pre-Kautilyan era  which have formed the foundation for the compendium Arthashastram. However all the previous works were not so exhaustive, authoritative or deep in content hence were superseded  by the Arthashastram. The chapters reveal the classified and distilled mind which Kautalya had while scripting such an instructive manual suited to every need of an aggressively    disposed monarchy. The entire thesis focusses on two aspects ''Tantra'' : the protection and welfare of the people and ''Avapa'' : the security and consolidation of the realm. Book I to V comprises of 95 ''Prakaranas'' dealing only with the Tantra.  ''Book VI to XIV comprise 84 Prakaranas'' dealing with Avapa. ''Adhikarana'' I deals with discipline, training, daily routine of duties and dissemination of Danda by the king and qualifications of the various levels of ministers and their spies. ''Adhikarana'' II deals with the bureaucratic set up of the administrative block, heirarchy of officials, the duties and responsibilities of various heads of departments , planning of forts and fortified towns and layout of the settlements. Estimation and collection of revenue, maintaining accounts, industrial establishments including state monopoly concerns, regulation of promotion of internal and foreign trade and commerce. ''Adhikarana'' III deals  with civil laws and administration of Justice. ''Adhikarana''  IV  deals with criminal laws and suppression of antisocial elements. ''Adhikarana'' V deals with action against sedition and treason, pay scales of officals and mechanisms to combat financial crisis.                     
 
The Arthashastra is a compilation of  15 ''Adhikaranas'' (Books), with each adhikararana divided further into 150 ''Adhyayas'' (Chapters) which are further subdivided into 180 Prakaranas (Sections), 380 ''karikas'' with 6000 ''shlokas (''verses) and 32 syllabic units in all.. The following is a brief account of the composition within various Adhikaranas, Adhyayas and Prakaranas. Arthashastram begins with veneration to two great political thinkers Sukra and Brhaspati and Kautalya makes an honest submission of this so as not to take the credit all unto himself. He also refers to theories of other authors and well known schools in the field of economics and politics and sastras of the Pre-Kautilyan era  which have formed the foundation for the compendium Arthashastram. However all the previous works were not so exhaustive, authoritative or deep in content hence were superseded  by the Arthashastram. The chapters reveal the classified and distilled mind which Kautalya had while scripting such an instructive manual suited to every need of an aggressively    disposed monarchy. The entire thesis focusses on two aspects ''Tantra'' : the protection and welfare of the people and ''Avapa'' : the security and consolidation of the realm. Book I to V comprises of 95 ''Prakaranas'' dealing only with the Tantra.  ''Book VI to XIV comprise 84 Prakaranas'' dealing with Avapa. ''Adhikarana'' I deals with discipline, training, daily routine of duties and dissemination of Danda by the king and qualifications of the various levels of ministers and their spies. ''Adhikarana'' II deals with the bureaucratic set up of the administrative block, heirarchy of officials, the duties and responsibilities of various heads of departments , planning of forts and fortified towns and layout of the settlements. Estimation and collection of revenue, maintaining accounts, industrial establishments including state monopoly concerns, regulation of promotion of internal and foreign trade and commerce. ''Adhikarana'' III deals  with civil laws and administration of Justice. ''Adhikarana''  IV  deals with criminal laws and suppression of antisocial elements. ''Adhikarana'' V deals with action against sedition and treason, pay scales of officals and mechanisms to combat financial crisis.                     
 +
 +
''Adhikarana'' VI- VII deals with essential characterisitcs of the state described as ''Saptasangas,'' the six-fold political expedients in the field of diplomacy among states called as ''Sadgunya. Adhikarana VIII deals'' with dangers and calamities arising both within or externally due to natural or man-made attempts befalling the king or body politic''.''                               
    
=== ''Adhikarana 1 : '''Vinayadhikarika'''''  ===
 
=== ''Adhikarana 1 : '''Vinayadhikarika'''''  ===

Navigation menu