Kautilya Arthashastra Book XV : The Plan of a Treatise

Book XV, “The Plan of a Treatise” CHAPTER I. PARAGRAPHICAL DIVISIONS OF THIS TREATISE THE subsistence of mankind is termed artha, wealth; the earth which contains mankind is also termed artha, wealth; that science which treats of the means of acquiring and maintaining the earth is the Arthasástra, Science of Polity. It contains thirty-two paragraphical […]

Read More

Kautilya Arthashastra Book XIV : Secret Means

Book XIV, “Secret Means” CHAPTER I. MEANS TO INJURE AN ENEMY IN order to protect the institution of the four castes, such measures as are treated of in secret science shall be applied against the wicked. Through the instrumentality of such men or women of Mlechchha class as can put on disguises, appropriate to different […]

Read More
ads

Kautilya Arthashastra Book XIII : Strategic Means to Capture a Fortress

Book XIII, “Strategic Means to Capture a Fortress” CHAPTER I. SOWING THE SEEDS OF DISSENSION WHEN the conqueror is desirous of seizing an enemy’s village, he should infuse enthusiastic spirit among his own men and frighten his enemy’s people by giving publicity to his power of omniscience and close association with gods. Proclamation of his […]

Read More

Kautilya Arthashastra Book XII : Concerning a Powerful Enemy

Book XII, “Concerning a Powerful Enemy” CHAPTER I. THE DUTIES OF A MESSENGER WHEN a king of poor resources is attacked by a powerful enemy, he should surrender himself together with his sons to the enemy and live like a reed (in the midst of a current of water). Bháradvája says that he who surrenders […]

Read More
ads

Kautilya Arthashastra Book XI: The Conduct of Corporations

Book XI, “The Conduct of Corporations” CHAPTER I. CAUSES OF DISSENSION; AND SECRET PUNISHMENT. THE acquisition of the help of corporations is better than the acquisition of an army, a friend, or profits. By means of conciliation and gifts, the conqueror should secure and enjoy the services of such corporations as are invincible to the […]

Read More

Kautilya Arthashastra Book X : Relating to War

Book X, “Relating to War” CHAPTER I. ENCAMPMENT ON a site declared to be the best according to the science of buildings, the leader (náyaka), the carpenter (vardhaki), and the astrologer (mauhúrtika) should measure a circular, rectangular, or square spot for the camp which should, in accordance with the available space, consist of four gates, […]

Read More

Kautilya Arthashastra Book IX : The Work of an Invader

Book IX, “The Work of an Invader” CHAPTER I. THE KNOWLEDGE OF POWER, PLACE, TIME, STRENGTH, AND WEAKNESS; THE TIME OF INVASION THE conqueror should know the comparative strength and weakness of himself and of his enemy; and having ascertained the power, place, time, the time of marching and of recruiting the army, the consequences, […]

Read More

Kautilya Arthashastra Book VIII : Concerning Vices and Calamities

Kautilya’s Arthasastra: Book VIII, “Concerning Vices and Calamities” CHAPTER I. THE AGGREGATE OF THE CALAMITIES OF THE ELEMENTS OF SOVEREIGNTY WHEN calamities happen together, the form of consideration should be whether it is easier to take an offensive or defensive attitude. National calamities, coming from Providence or from man happen from one’s misfortune or bad […]

Read More

Kautilya Arthashastra Book VII : The End of the Six-Fold Policy

Book VII, “The End of the Six-Fold Policy” CHAPTER I. THE SIX-FOLD POLICY, AND DETERMINATION OF DETERIORATION, STAGNATION AND PROGRESS THE Circle of States is the source of the six-fold policy. My teacher says that peace (sandhi), war (vigraha) observance of neutrality (ásana), marching (yána), alliance (samsraya), and making peace with one and waging war […]

Read More

Kautilya Arthashastra Book VI : The Source of Sovereign

Book VI: The Source of Sovereign States CHAPTER I. THE ELEMENTS OF SOVEREIGNTY THE king, the minister, the country, the fort, the treasury, the army and the friend are the elements of sovereignty. Of these, the best qualities of the king are:– Born of a high family, godly, possessed of valour, seeing through the medium […]

Read More
Quotes for Students Chanakya Books