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136
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
JUNE, 1924
and the four, in rear of him, as also of the neighbouring prinoes on both sides and of the neutrals (VI. 2, p. 258=260 of the edition of 1919). In the time of Kautilya therefore, the political area bound by sympathy was the whole province of Hindustan and more, where were spoken even at that time at least three or four different Prakrits. (965) It is, however, evident that in diplomatic transactions we employ that language which combines the possibility of great precision and susceptibility of fine distinction. A language acquires these peculiarities only through long literary use, and thoy were present in the classical Sanskrit, with regard to which it has now been proved that it was in common literary use at the time of Kautilya. A direct indication that at least certain letters were written in Sanskrit, is to be gathered from the fact that the solemn concluding formula for these letters is in Sanskrit. The rule is : lekhanaparisanharanártha ili sabdo vdcikam asya iti ca.23 "The letter should conclude with the word iti or with the words iti vaci kam asya," the latter being used when the actual words of the king make up the contents of the letter. We can, however, also see from the instructions which Kautilya gives in the abovenamed section regarding matters linguistic and stylistic, that he had in mind a secretary whose main function, was to compose letters in Sanskrit. However, I shall not dispute the view that other writings proceeding from the same Secretary, (and directed) to inferior persons might have been written in Prakrit, in accordance with the rule laid down in such cases (p. 71) jatim kulam sthanavayasfrutani..... samtkeya kedrye lekham vidadhydt purusanurúpam. However, in the theoretical injunctions which Kautilya regards it necessary to give in this section, he appears to hold it an essential qualification for a lekhaka to possess a correct knowledge of the literary and learned language, i.e., the classical Sanskrit, inasmuch as he then gays about himself, that he wrote his rules about the Sasana for the benefit of the kings after having thoroughly investigated all the sdstras and having borne in mind the practice in the matter. 24
(To be continued).
MISCELLANEA. A POETICAL FRAGMENT IN PRAISE. Qita - OF THE PEN.
Qalam goyad ki man shahe jahanam, Qalam kash ra ba daulat me rasánam; Agar bad bķht báshad man che dánam,
Vale, ekbár bá daulat rasanam. Translation:
The Pen says, “I am king of the universo; To him who holds me I bring wealth; If he be unfortunate, yet through me He attains once to the shore of viches."
[ This verse was found among miscellaneous papers left by the late Dr. W. Crooke. Its author.
ship is unknown. 29 I regard it as being more correct to proceed on this idea of the Kaufiliya than to rely (in my argument) on the extent of the kingdom of Candragupta. Even if, at the time when the Kaufilfya was composed, the power of this king might have really extended from Bergal to the Panjab and still further, then even in that case, the doctrine mentioned by Kautilya regarding the Vijigisu (king) and his mandala, would not be meaningless and without any practical interest; since in the lands subservient to him, there wore here. ditary princes, who, following the Indian custom, might have continued to exercise authority. A great state did not arise by a conquest proper; such were confined to annexations of smaller provinces (compare XIII. 14, 15). The dependent princes in the empire of the Mauryas must have likewise fought among themselves, like the Satraps in the Persian Empire, despite the suzerainty of the Emperor; and in such wars, the rules of the Nitidastra came into operation.
23 Page 72. The edition reads lekhaka and sabdau. 34 Page 75. Te ** pertgez feat TTÜ Tea Part 1: II
قلم گوید که من شاه جانم قلم کس را بدولت میرسانم اگر بد بخت باشد من چه دانم ولی یکبار با دولت رسانه
