________________
OCTOBER, 1909.)
THE ARTHASASTRA OF OHANAKYA.
257
THE ARTH ASASTRA OF CHANAKYA (BOOKS'V-XV),
Translated by
R. SHAMASASTRY, B.A.,
Librarian, Government Oriental Library, Mysore. [Note.-The first four books have been published in the Mysore Review, 1906–1908.]
Book v. The conduct of Government officers (Yogavpittam).
Chapter I. Concerning the awards of punishments (Dandskarmikam). M EASURES necessary to remove the thorns of public peace both in fortified cities and country
parts have been dealt with. We shall now proceed to treat of measures to supproas trason against the king and his kingdom.
With regard to those chiefs who, though living by service under the king, are inimically disposed towards him, or have taken the side of his enemy, a spy with secret mission or one in the guise of an ascetic and devoted to the king's cause shall set to work as described before; or a spy trained in the art of sowing the seeds of dissension may set to work, as will be described in connection with the "invasion of an enemy's villages." 1
The king in the interests of righteousness may inflict punishment in secret on those courtiers or confederacy of chiefs who are dangerous to the safety of the kingdom and who cannot be put down in open daylight,
A spy may instigate the brother of a seditious minister, and with necessary inducements, take him to the king for an interview. The king, having copforred upon him the title to possess and enjoy the property of his seditious brother, may cause him to attack his brother; and when he murders his brother with a weapon or with poison, he shall be put to death in the same spot under the ples that he is a parricide.
The same measure will explain the proceedings to be taken against a seditious Parakava (one who is begotten by Brahman on sadra wife ), and seditious son of a woman-servant.
Or instigated by a apy, the brother of seditious minister may put forward his claim for inheritance. While the claimant is lying at night at the door of the house of the seditious minister or elsewhere, a fiery spy (tikshna ) may murder him and declare " Alas! the claimant for inheritance is thus murdered by his brother)." Then taking the side of the injured party, the king may punish the other (the seditious minister).
Spies in the presence of . seditious minister may threaten to beat his brother, claiming inheritance. Then "while the claimant is lying at the door of, &c." .. . . as before.
The same proceedings will explain the quarrel fraudulently caused to crop' up between any two seditious ministers, in whose family son or a father has had sexual intercourse with a daughter-inlaw, or a brother with the wife of another brother.
Book XIII
