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Line 113:
Line 113: − The princes, who were in the line of succession to kingship, underwent strenuous courses under their teachers (in Gurukulashramas). In addition to education, a prince/king 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 the public good. 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 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. 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>"+ Line 147:
Line 147: + + + + + + + + + − + − "</blockquote><blockquote>"The subjects require protection against wicked officers of the king, thieves, enemies of the king, royal favourites (such as the queen, princes etc ), and
Re-organising content - to be edited
<blockquote>"'''''Dharma is that which upholds, nourishes or supports the stability of the society, maintains the social order and secures the general well-being and progress of man-kind'''''</blockquote><blockquote>(Supreme court of India)"</blockquote>The '''smritis''' laid down a code of conduct which should be scrupulously observed by the kings and applied to every kind of political ruler and officers exercising governmental powers. Its directives were invariably followed both in letter and spirit by the royal families.
<blockquote>"'''''Dharma is that which upholds, nourishes or supports the stability of the society, maintains the social order and secures the general well-being and progress of man-kind'''''</blockquote><blockquote>(Supreme court of India)"</blockquote>The '''smritis''' laid down a code of conduct which should be scrupulously observed by the kings and applied to every kind of political ruler and officers exercising governmental powers. Its directives were invariably followed both in letter and spirit by the royal families.
<blockquote>"
iztklq[ks lq[ka jkK% iztkuka p fgrs fgre~A<br>ukRefiz;a fgra jkK% iztkuka rq fiz;a fgre~A<br>KAUT: 9-39<br>In the happiness of his subjects lies the king's happiness: in their welfare,<br>his welfare, whatever pleases himself the king shall not consider as good,<br>
iztklq[ks lq[ka jkK% iztkuka p fgrs fgre~A<br>ukRefiz;a fgra jkK% iztkuka rq fiz;a fgre~A<br>KAUT: 9-39<br>In the happiness of his subjects lies the king's happiness: in their welfare,<br>his welfare, whatever pleases himself the king shall not consider as good,<br>
but whatever pleases his subjects, the king shall consider as good."</blockquote>The code of Conduct for Kings as mentioned in the Shastras are as follows
but whatever pleases his subjects, the king shall consider as good."</blockquote>The code of Conduct for Kings as mentioned in the Shastras are as follows
The above texts reveal the great stress laid on the character and qualities a king should possess. To this end, imparting an all round education and training to princes, and instilling in them the traits of good character and discipline was emphasised.
The above texts reveal the great stress laid on the character and qualities a king should possess. To this end, imparting an all round education and training to princes, and instilling in them the traits of good character and discipline was emphasised.
The aforesaid directives were invariably followed both in letter and spirit by the royal families. The princes, who were in the line of succession to kingship, underwent strenuous courses under their teachers (in Gurukulashramas). In addition to education, a prince/king 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 the public good.
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 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.
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.
==King Chandrapida and the Cobbler==
==King Chandrapida and the Cobbler==
'''Kamandaka''' called upon the kings to protect people against his favourites and officers.<blockquote>"vk;qDrdsH;'pkSjsH;% ijsH;ks jktoYyHkkrà i`fFkohifryksHkkPp iztkuka iŒp/kk Hk;eà iŒpizdkjeI;sr iksáa u`irsHkZ;eÃA
'''Kamandaka''' called upon the kings to protect people against his favourites and officers.<blockquote>"vk;qDrdsH;'pkSjsH;% ijsH;ks jktoYyHkkrà i`fFkohifryksHkkPp iztkuka iŒp/kk Hk;eà iŒpizdkjeI;sr iksáa u`irsHkZ;eÃA
KAMANDAKA v 82-83 (PP.63-64)
KAMANDAKA v 82-83 (PP.63-64)
</blockquote><blockquote>"The subjects require protection against wicked officers of the king, thieves, enemies of the king, royal favourites (such as the queen, princes etc ), and
more than all, against the greed of the king himself. The king should ensure that the people are free from these fears.
more than all, against the greed of the king himself. The king should ensure that the people are free from these fears.