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100
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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[APRIL, 1910.
THE ARTHASASTRA OF CHANAKYA (BOOKS V - XV).
Translated by
R. SHAMASASTRY, B.A. Librarian, Government Oriental Library, Mysore.68
( Continued from p. 96.)
Chapter IV. Consideration about loss of men, woalth, and profit.
(Kshayavyayalabhaviparimarkah. ) Loss of trained men is what is called kshaya, loss of men. Diminution of gold and grains is loss of wealth. When the expected profit overweighs both these, then one should march ( against an enemy).
The characteristics of an expected profit are:-that which is receivable, that which is to be returned, that which pleases all, that which excites hatred, that which is realised in a short time, that which entails little loss of men to earn, that which entails little loss of wealth to earn, that which is vast, that which is productive, that which is barmless, that which is just, and that which comes first.
When a profit is easily acquired and secured without the necessity of returning it to others, it is termed receivable'; that which is of the reverse nature is repayable'; whoever goes to receive a repayable profit or is enjoying it gets destruction.
When he, however, thinks that by taking & repayable profit, I shall cause my enemy's treasury, army and other defensive resources to dwindle ; I shall exploit to impoverishment the mines, timber and elephant forests, irrigational works, and roads of traffic of my enemy; I shall impoverish his subjects, or cause them to migrate, or conspire against him; when they are reduced to this condition, my onomy inflames their hatred (by punishing them ); or I shall set my enemy against another enemy; my enemy will give up bis hopes and run away to one who has some bloodrelationship with bim; or having improved his lands, I shall retara them to him, and when he is thus brought to ascendency, he will be a lasting friend of mine,"then he may take even a repayable profit. Thus receivable and repayable profits are explained.
That profit which a virtuous king receives from a wicked king pleases both his own and other people; that which is of the reverse nature excites hatred ; that profit which is received at the advice of ministers excites hatred, for they think, " This king has reduced our party and impoverished us." That profit which is received without caring for the opinion of treacherous ministers excites hatred, for they think, “Having made the profit, this king destroys us." But that which is of the reverse nature pleases. Thus pleasing and provoking profits are explained.
That which is acquired by mere marching is what is acquired soon. That which is to be realised by negotiation ( mantrasádhya66) entails little loss of men.
That which requires merely the expenditure of provisions (for servants employed to earn it) entails little loss of wealth.
That which is immediately of considerable value's Vast. That which is the source of wealth is productive.
as The first four books have been published in the Mysore Review 1908-1906.
* The word, mantra,' is used in various shades of meaning : Sometimes it means intrigue or treachery and sometimes negotiation,
