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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]