Yasastilaka and Indian Culture

SR No.: 001609
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Krishnakant Handiqui
Publisher: Jain Sanskruti Samrakshak Sangh Solapur
Publication Year: 1968
Total Pages: 566
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Story, Literature, & Culture
File Size: 16 MB

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YAŠASTILAKA AND INDIAN CULTURE
There is another quotation from Viśālāksa in Book IV: "rahetarसिकम्, दर्शपौर्णमासयोश्चातूरात्रिकम् , राजनक्षत्रे गुरुपर्वणि च त्रैरात्रिकम्, एवमन्यासु चोपहतासु तिथिषु द्विरात्रमेकरात्रं ar Hand PRA H ' fa #gaferafes ala # 1972: . The purport of these lines is that non-injury to all creatures should be proclaimed (by the king) during the four months of rains for a fortnight, during the New and the Full Moon for four nights, on days related to the constellation under which the king was born and on Samkrānti days for three nights, and similarly on certain inauspicious lunar days for one or two nights. Viśālākṣa is reported as making this statement in an Upanisad. The word seems to be used in its wider sense of 'secret doctrine' and Upanişad might simply refer to Viśālākşa's Nītiśāstra. We know, for example, that the Mahābhārata (Santiparva 103. 40) uses the e dandopanisad in the sense of 'secret application of force';' and Somadeva himself uses the word upanisad in the sense of 'secret' or 'mystery' in relation to the teachings of the Arthaśāstra. He says, for instance, 37TTEविचारपल्लवकलोकप्रकाशितोपनिषत्सु परिषत्सु' (Book III) 'in assemblies where scholars expert in the discussion of the Arthaśāstra revealed the mysteries (of that science )'.
The passage from Viśālākşa's Upanişad cited above occurs in Kautilya's Arthaśāstra 13. 5 with slight modifications and omissions in connection with the restoration of peace in a conquered country : चातुर्मास्येष्वर्धमासिकHi guatatu za Tatacaf#1 It is possible that the passage is adapted from the work of Viśālākşa, just as certain verses of Bhäradvāja have also been amplified and incorporated in the text of the Arthaśāstra.? In face of this, it is impossible to accept Srutasagara's identification of Visālākṣa with the sage Prabhākara and explanation of Upanişad as Vedāntasāstra.
Somadeva seems to borrow an idea from another old writer whom he does not mention, but who is cited in the anonymous commentary on his Nitivākyämrta. Both in Yasastilaka (3. 25 ) and Nitivākyümrta he expresses the opinion that the troubles of the master are the opportunity of the servants, and says that just as physicians try to aggravate the illness of wealthy patients, similarly the officials of a king try to add to his troubles.
__ व्याधिवृद्धौ यथा वैद्यः श्रीमतामाहितोद्यमः । व्यसनेषु तथा राज्ञः कृतयत्ना नियोगिनः ॥ He says in Nitivākyūmrta: tag thai sagaida afiry H aigeRT ATT staatury:. There is no doubt that the above idea is based on the following verse quoted
1 Nilakantha says रहस्यदण्डः . 2 See above,