Economics of Mahaveera

Author(s): Mahapragna Acharya
Publisher: Adarsh Sahitya Sangh

Page 18

ECONOMICS OF MAHAVIRA
in character. The fourth element of human nature is emotion. Man wants to be emancipated.
There are four elements of human nature — faith in religion, acquisition of wealth, passion and freedom. In the Indian thinking, the linkage of these four objectives of human pursuit has been recognised and accepted. If we keep aside these four human pursuits, and attempt to define man, he cannot be understood fully. To understand him in totality, it is essential to comprehend adequately the four objectives of human nature.
Integrated Perspective Chanakya has been considered synonymous with the Indian political and economic thought. Though he authored a number of books, Kautilya's Arthashastra is his famous treatise. In another well-known book, Chanakya Sutra, he writes -
Sukhsya mulam dharmah. Dharmasya mulam arthha. Arthamya mulam rajyah. Rajasya mulam inehaya-jaya.
The basis of happiness is religion. The basis of religion is wealth. The basis of wealth is the state, and the basis of the state is control of the senses.
Chanakya could not visualise kingdom and wealth without the control of senses. Chanakya was a counsellor of king Chandragupta, and Chandragupta was a disciple of Bhagwan Mahavira. Chandragupta had given some new systems. The principal source of these systems was his Mahamantri, Chanakya. In Chanakya Sutra, the theory propounded by him represents an integrated view.
Two Systems Two main systems are in vogue in the present times, Capitalism and Communism. One is moored in capital; the other is socialistic. The basis of both capitalism and communism is materialism. Conceptually, therefore, there is no fundamental divergence between the two.