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August, 1916)
MANUSMRITI
127
What we want to show by means of paragraphs A, B, C and D is the probability of the existence of Bhrigu's Samhita in the time of Chandragupta. We are inclined to say that Chanakya had before him, Bhrigu's recension, when he wrote his Sastra, even though he differed from it. There oan be no doubt, however, that the source of his ideas in these parallels were either the art alone, or they together with the Manusmriti. In case he is referring to the sutras of Manu alone, we may suppose that he has quoted them word for word or has given a summary of them. If he is referring to the metrical Smriti, we may assume that he is abbreviating his quotations.
It might appear that we have taken Chanakya to be the author of the book called the to put without proving him to be so. The learned editor of that book has already established the authorship of Châņakya, but we can add to his arguments, proceeding on
different lines.
The phrase "far anterz:" occurs often in that book, and it might perhaps lead some to suspect that either parts or the whole of the book is not written by Chiņakya himself. Internal as well as external evidence help to remove this suspicion.
In the chapters where Châņakya (surnamed Kautilya) quotes other authorities and ane vers them, or adjusts their opinions, the conclusion we come to is that the answers must be from the author himself. P. 13-14 of the Sastra may serve as an illustration. In the case of choosing a minister, various opinions are given. Finally, the anthor winds up the discussion with his own view and a supplementary verse.
Châņakya's discussions contain copious matter and are written in a vigorous style ; they are quite in keeping with the 'thoroughness' ('1 ' cf. note 6. h) ascribed to him. The drama Mudrdrakshasa exhibits the same characteristics of this remarkable man. (It would be advisable to study this drama in the light of the principles of Kautilya.)
The author of the fil professes to follow his rovered guru Vishnugupta (it. Chanakya) and says that he has simply abbreviated his system (cf.ro I 6-7, "arz warg......far a "). In the same chapter we find a verse (I 60.) which is given in the aito 728° at the end of p. 12, ch. 3. The system, then, containing the nectar of Arthasastras (I 6.) can be no other than that propounded in the most
The commentator of #o, Sankarårya says in his commentary on the first seren verses) as follows
"79: rara final
THERE fear hereà Il” (on. v. 1.) ...... 27 stareglailee ergaia, 291217*** Besteg 1799* Tel: -
FRATE........" ( on v. 2. )........." fogarafa aferfia, MR Riera fa
ya Idara lagu ya TTT ..."on v. 6.) ..." - मर्थशास्त्रपियस्वाद राजविद्याविदां मतमुपदेष्यामः नान्यशास्त्रविदाम् | सक्षिप्तग्रन्थं कौटिल्यशास्त्रात् । argareta Tawanan 15
TT ATT H***........." (on v. 7.)
The last part of the commentator's remarks is very important. The book contains about 1215 verses; there are 36 chapters. In the lo sf there are 180 chapters, the number of verses, however, we could not control. But the same data are given in the ait pro p. 6. Anyhow, the commentator on Nitis lira has identified Kautilya with Chanakya and has said that the writer of the Arthasastra is Kautilya. It seems, indeed, we night feel sure about the authorship of the को अर्थ.
