Manusmriti and Kautilya’s Arthashastra

• Comparing Manusmriti and

Arthashastra;
• Dharma according to Manusmriti;
• Origin of state as per Manu Smriti;
• Origin of state as per Manu Smriti
• Ideals of kingship
• Importance of Kautilya’s Arthashastra
• Prominent ideas of Arthashastra
• State of relations between two countries
• Mandal Siddhaant
• Shadgunya Neeti (6 gold Policies)
• Relevance of Rajamandala and Shadguna
Siddhanta
• Type of War
 Comparing Manusmriti and Arthashastra
Manu and Kautilya, the ancient Indian thinkers have given us their rich political and
administrative ideas and policies.

Manusmriti holds a position of pre-eminence in the Hindu literature. It is the oldest and
well-known smriti. Manusmriti or Manava dharmasastra is a “work of encyclopaedic
scope.”

Manusmriti is a storehouse of information on the social, judicial and political life of that
period.

The Manusmriti is the most authoritative work on Hindu Law and presents the normal
form of Hindu society and civilisation.

Manu who gave the stamp of sanctity and permanence to the socio-political institutions
of the land and provided the first code of civil and criminal law.
Kautilya’s Arthasashtra is another great work on ancient political thought which was probably composed
between 3rd-2nd Century B.C. Kautilya was the great Prime Minister of Chandragupta Maurya.

Kautilya’s Arthashastra is primarily a work on the art of government. In his political and administrative ideas,
the focus of attention was the king.

According to his philosophy, for the smooth running of administration and for the welfare of the people, the
king had to be conversant in the four Vedas and four sciences of government (Anvikashaki, Trai, Varta and
Dandniti).

Kautilya’s administrative and judicial structure was hierarchical in nature.

As for justice, he emphasised on the principal of equity and immediacy. As for law and order, he believed
that law was a royal command enforced by sanctions.
Manusmriti refers to the sacred character of the laws in the four castes and four orders
to the ancient customs and duties of the king.

Kautilya did not condemn the moorings of the ancient dharamasastras, but he added
some new political ideas for the political institutions and also reinterpreted some
existing ones.

He also mentioned the relative importance of the sacred law and the state law. Manu
and Kautilya has given us comprehensive political and administrative ideas.

They both believed in Vedas and goodness of human nature. But they also believed
that the common man could be kept under control, and on the path of truth by the
fear of punishment.
To maintain peace and order in the state both believed in Dandniti. But their approach
to the subject is different. Manu believed that it is danda, which rules over all the
subjects.
Manu was concentrating more on problems like the duties of Varnas, the
purity of family life, sanctity of social institutions and social life as laid
down in the dharmasastra while Kautilya discussed more realistically and
as a matter of fact problems like battles, war, conduct of government
departments, internal and external dangers to the state and espionage.
 Dharma according to Manusmriti
Manu has told what is Dharma of different Varnas
• There is no appropriate word available in any of the European language which can be treated
as exact translation of Indian word Dharma. It should not be confused with religion.
• According to RIG VEDA, “Prithvim Dharmam Dhritam”, which means Dharma is that which
HOLDS life on this Earth.

What will happen when we will not follow dharma?

• It will lead to Aratakta (Anarchy)
• It will lead to - parlay (catastrophe) – This will bring end to life on earth.
SOURCE OF DHARMA
• Dharma is discussed in Dharma Shastra
• Most well-known Dharma Shastra is MANU SAMRITI
• SMRITI is based on Shruti
Origin of state as per Manu Smriti

QUASI CONTRATUAL THEORY

• State is a contract between Man & God.
• Manu Smriti mentions the ‘Theory of State’ initially there was NO STATE (i.e.)
there was ARAJAKTA.
• In this situation Matsyanyaya was prevalent. (i.e.) might is right – Big fish
eating small fish.
• Hence people requested Brahma & Brahma created Manu.
• Manu is the 1st king & the law giver.
• Now, it is the duty of people to obey the laws.
 Ideals of kingship
King has divine personality 8 gods have given a part of their personality to the king thus
king combine INDRA, VARUNA, AGNI, VAYU, SURYA, CHANDRA, YAMA & KUBERA.

There is a difference in idea of kingship in EAST & WEST.

• WEST- Kings used to have divine personality + Divine Rights
• INDIA – King only had Divine personality

Concept of Kingship: Manu made his king, the divine itself. Manu wanted his king to be
divine and an embodiment of certain qualities:
i. Worshipper of aged Brahmans
ii.Well versed in Vedas
iii.Conquer his own senses
iv.Immune from ten vices springing from love of pleasure
v.Not to be avaricious
Divine rights symbolise Absolute authority.
• Kings did not have absolute authority. They were under law. Kings were to follow. Raja Dharma –
Dharma as found in Dharma shastras (i.e.) as told by Brahmins.
• According to Manu, If king do not follow Dharma such king will go to hell.
• King is supposed to be from Kshatriya Varma. It was a Hereditary Institution.
 Duties of King
Follow Varna Dharma (or) Kshatriya Dharma ; War is Kshatriya Dharma
• King should have knowledge of Vedas
• King should respect Brahmins
• King should get up early in the day time
• King should not indulge too much in hunting, Gambling, Drinking, and Dancing.
• King should not indulge too much with women
• King should worship Brahmins daily
• King should contract PUBLIC UTILIES.
• King should take care of Orphans, Destitute.

King should help his people to achieve Yogkshem (i.e.) 4 Purushasthas.

• Rakshan & Palan are the responsibilities of the king.
• King should administer Punishment according to shashtras.
• In Manu Smriti, there is no context of Equality before law.
• Lower the varna, higher the punishment for same offence.
Manu Smriti also deals with Principle of Taxation
• Principle of taxation directly proportional to fertility of land
• 1/6th of produce is king’s share from fertile land
• 1/8th of produce is from less fertile land
• 1/10th of produce from least fertile land
• King also has share from other produces
• 1/6 the milk, honey, meat Battu & other trading commodities
 Function of King

According to Manu, the King has to perform executive, judicial, ecclesiastical, revenue,
military and enlightened functions.

Aims of the Government : The attitude of ancient political thinkers like Manu were
pragmatic as it avoided extreme of western political thought expounded by the anarchists
and the totalitarians. Manu spelled out the aims of the Government as:
• To help the people in the accomplishment of moral righteousness
• To acquire wealth
• To help in deriving of pleasure

Ambassador: The ambassador conducted negotiations regarding war and peace.

Judicial Administration: he assigned the job of interpreting the laws to a Brahmana though
at king’s pleasure. Such a right was derived by Manu to a sudra. He stressed that the
kingdom of Monarch where sudra settled the law will ‘sink low like a cow in a morass’.

Punishment: Even the punishments have been specified in Manusmriti, admonition

followed by reproof, fine and corporal punishment and banishment. Manu suggests unjust
and discriminating punishments towards lower classes.
• Inter-State Relations
• Role of Diplomats
• Six fold Foreign Policy

Comparison: Manu’s views in his king were quiet similar to that of Plato’s as he made his
ruler a philosophical king and Manu’s king also had all the knowledge as he made sure that
his King was well versed with Vedas and Upnishads.
 Importance of Kautilya’s Arthashastra
Kautilya defines State craft as Arthashastra ‘Arth’ denotes material well – being according
to him, the most important objective of the king is the secure the material well-being of his
people.

In his words: “Material well-being is supreme, attainment of all other goals Dharm, Kama,
Moksh depends on material well being”.

In ancient times, land was the main source of securing material well – being. Hence, the
main idea of Arthashastra was how to acquire the land
• It is material for a state to go for acquiring land.
• The 1st land to be acquired is the land of Neighbour,
• Hence Neighbour ae Natural Enemies. Hence, the relation between 2 states are the
Relations of war.
• Thus, Arthashastra deals with ART of War like SUN TZU, the Chinese strategist planning,
Balance of power, geopolitics
Arthashastra can be considered as the “ First textbook in geopolitics”

Geopolitics – Science of Capturing land.

• According to concept of geopolitics is an organism like any organism, state has to grow. If state does not grow / expand ,
state will perish/decay

It is unfortunate that policy makers in India have overlooked the wisdom found in Arthashashtra.

However, since the beginning of 21st century, with HINDU RIGHTIST PARTY coming to power, there is
a change in the approach of South Block. We are rediscovering the ancient Indian wisdom.
Prominent ideas of Arthashastra

State of relations
Mandal
between two Saptanga theory
Siddhaant
countries

Shadgunya Neeti
4 ulpayas Type of wars
(6 gold Policies)
State of relations between two countries
According to Kautilya, the relations 2 states are relations of WAR, where the
strength of Lion prevails.

Thus Kautilya is a realist who believes that inter- state relations are the struggle for
power.

According to Realist wisdom, interstate relations or international politics is a state

of war. Nations are either in the war or in the preparation for war. Hence in such
situation, state can rely only on Power.

Kautilya belongs to the School of “offensive realism”. He believes in Power

realisation rather than defence. For them “offence is the best defence”
 Mandal Siddhaant
Raja Dharma – Kshatriya Dharma (i.e.) War after coronation, King has to
start for expedition.
• In ancient India, there was tradition of different YAGNAS
• Example: Aswameda, Yogna; Rajasuya Yogna (after victory)
• According to Kautilya, King should have the desire to become “Chakravarthi Samrat”. He
addresses the king as ‘VIJIGISHU’ cone who aspires for victory

Mandal Siddhaanth is based on the concept of Geopolitics.

• According to Geopolitics, State is organism. Organism has to grow for that, it has to expand
• If it does not expands, it will Perish
• Thus states are expansionists by Nature
Neutral status:
• It is in context of war. If other countries accept the status of nay country as neutral, then that country has to give
equal access to its territory to both parties in war.
• Example: Nepal aspires for Neutral status. Nepali’s demand is against India’s national interest. If UN recognises
Nepal as neutral, in case of INDIA – CHINA war, both will have access to its territory. At present, only India can
use its territory during war under the agreement – 1950
• According to Kautilya, King should try to bring Neutrals in favour

MADHAYANA (Buffer Status)

• They are smaller states / terrible between 2 Major Powers.
• Their purpose is to avoid 2 major powers coming into state of direct confrontation.
• Example: Nepal is ideal Buffer zone between INDIA & CHINA.
• According to Kautilya, king should try to bring buffer state in his favour.
• Example: India has brought Nepal under its control by 1950 agreement however, India lost strategic advantage
when CHINA occupied TIBET. TIBET was also an ideal Buffer Zone.

Max Weber: Kautilya is more Machiavellian than Machiavelli’s Mach’s prince is harmless
compared to Kautilya king. Mach didn’t write explicit things.
 Shadgunya Neeti (6 gold Policies)
Vijigishu can adopt following options depending on situation.
• Sandhi (treaty) - if enemy is strong, go for Sandhi example: Shimla
Agreement
• Vighra – Breack the Sandhi when you become strong
• Aasana (to sit ) – stationing of forces near enemy territory – Build pressure
• Yana (Movement) – exercises near enemy territory
• Samashriya (objective) – Join hands with those who have similar objectives
Example: QUAD (to contain CHINA)
• Dvaidhbhava (Dual policy) – Friendship with one, enmity with other don’t go
for war at 2 fronts at same time, instead make friendship with one enemy for
the time being.
01. Sandhi
• Sandhi (making peace with strong enemy) has been advised for a weaker nation with strong
enemy.
• When you enemy is stronger than you, don’t confront with him and rather make peace on
terms and conditions of your enemy {i.e. surrender troops, treasury or territory}.
• Sandhi will thwart the strong enemy and will give enough time to get strong enough to
overthrow the strong enemy.
• Thus, this policy is based on “opportunism” and seeks time to become strong and wait for
enemy to get weaker.

02. Vigraha
• Vigraha (policy of hostility) has been advised for stronger nation with relatively weaker enemy.
• There can be two dimensions of policy of hostility viz. Defensive and Offensive. Kautilya says
that policy of Vigraha is advisable only when you are sure that you should be either repel
attack of enemy or are strong enough to ruin enemy or seize his territories (in such case go
ahead with Yana).
• In this policy, Kautilya has hinted some kind of cost-benefit analysis and says that if cost
appears more than benefit, then Sandhi is preferred over Vigraha.
03. Asana
• The Asana is basically a stance of keeping quite. It is to wait for enemy to get weaker
either by plunging itself in some difficulties or getting involved in war at some other
front.
• Asana also includes secret efforts to weaken the enemy or some kind of proxy war in
modern terms.
04. Yana
• Yana {March or Expedition} is direct manifestation of a policy of Vigraha and is to be
followed when you are sure that you shall ruin the enemy and win over him.
05. Sansraya
• Sansraya means seeking shelter with another king. If a king is weak and threatened to
be attacked by a powerful enemy, it’s better to seek protection from another King or
another place / fort etc.
• This policy corresponds to status of Protégé in modern sense.
06. Dvaidhibhava
• Dvaidhibhava refers to the double policy of Sandhi with one king and Vigraha with
another at a time.
• It is suggested for a King who is strong enough to fight but may not win without
getting additional strength of an ally.
• Apart from the above Shadgunas, Kautilya has mentioned four tactics to overcome
the opposition viz. Saman (Conciliation), Dama (Gifts), Bheda (Dissension) and
Danda (Force).
 Relevance of Rajamandala and Shadguna Siddhanta
In Arthashastra, Kautilya has made arguments about power, governance, statecraft etc.
without any reference to any religion or divinity, which makes him eligible as true
founder of what we call realpolitik.

However, above description makes it very clear that Kautilya suggests a state to act in
order to enhance its power and self-interest. There does not seem to be any moral /
ethical or religious obligation in his policy.

War and peace are solely on basis of profit. Many criticize this policy of Kautilya as
ruthless realpolitik, intrigue, deceptive and immoral.

Despite of criticism, the policy holds relevance because Kautilya said something which
has always been actually practiced by states everywhere.
 Type of War
Kautilya
mentions 3 PARAKRAM YUDDHA – Direct /
major open war
types of
war. Type KOOT YUDDHA – Guerrilla war
of war
depends
on
situation of TUSHNIM YUDDHA – Proxy war
VIJIGISHU.
Saptanga Siddhaanth (Sapta Prikriti)
It explains the 7 LIMBS of the state,
which also means 7 elements of
sovereignty.

It is an example of ORGANIC THEORY

OF STATE.

Kautilya takes SYSTEMIC VIEW OF

STATE.
01. King: king is the Nabhi of state centre

• It is difficult to replace a personality. King plays the most important role.

• If king is strong & other elements of sovereignty are weak, the strong &
smart king can convert the elements of weakness into elements of
strength
• If other elements are strong but if king is weak, it will lead to overall
weakness.
Though king is central, yet Kautilya writes that a single wheel cannot the chariot. It
means king cannot run the state alone but will require help of other. Thus Kautilya
emphasizes that king should not be arrogant & give adequate recognition to other
elements. State is a system of interdependence. He also reminds the king that
kingship is a duty – Dharma.
02. Amatyas (Senior ministers)
• They are mostly Brahmins.They most important among them in the AMBASSADOR, who is
the representative of king/state
• King should choose him very carefully. He should be trusted person & well versed in
Shastras.
• He should be handsome, He suggests that king should have Atleast 3 amities. 2 can
conspire against, even them one will stay with king
• King should have constant vigil on amatyas King can challenges the power of king.
• He even suggest king should keep on testing Integrity of Amatyas from time to time.
• He gives different suggestion, King can send his spy to amatya who can tell that queen is on
love with amatya & is waiting him at palace & in case amatya plans to kill the king, queen
will provide all help.
03. Durg : Fort
• Mauryan Empire is known for different types of forts. Kautilya mentions about forts on hill, water,
deserts.
• Fort are the symbols of Defensive & offensive capabilities of state. Hence king should be
constriction fort.

04. JANPAD:
• Places where common man lives, operates, and conducts Business & various activities. It is very
important as it provides ECONOMIC resources.

05. Bala : Military strength

• According to him, army should be comprised of Kshatriyas. He believes in hereditary basis of
recruitment.
• However, if need arises, other varnas can also be incorporated. Even w.r.t. king, Kautilya is not
particular about varna.
• He mentions that king can be of any varna but preferably Kshatriya
06. KOSHA: treasury.
• It should be sufficient to the extent that not only the king is able to fulfil
his routine obligations, he is able to meet any sort of emergency.(War,
natural calamity)

07. MITRA : ALLY

• Friends only have symbolic importance. As there is no permanent friends/
enemy & it is difficult to identity who is real friend/ who is pretending)
• They are symbol of strength of King. Everyone wants to be the friends of
the strong. Hence if a country starts loosing friends to enemy, it is a
serious concern example: Maldives going to China, also SL, NEPAL
• In politics, perception of strength is crucial
 Relevance of Saptang theory in mandal Siddhanth
• Before starting expedition, VIJIGISHU has to calculate the strength of the enemies as well as his
own. The 7 dements are the determinants of power.

• King has to make assessment of 12x7 = 8A elements of sovereignty (12 kings x 7 elements) to
take calculated risk Mandals.

• Kautilya’s Statecraft on internal administration.

• Internal & external all interdependent.

• Even for internal admin, Kautilya advices the use of spies to check rebellion.

• Kautilya has given special emphases on problems of Corruption on administration