Jaina Political Thought

Author(s): G C Pandey
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 88

gradual accumulation. The treasury is the very life of the rulers. A full treasury enables one to win popularity. Somadeva announces that what attracts people is wealth, not the nobility of birth or conduct. If one has wealth one would not be hard put to acquire social status and recognition. Maney is in effect the principal means of social climbing.
Bala or military force is said to be of six types, viz. maula, bhrtaka, bhrtya, sreni, mitra and atavika, of which each preceding is preferable to each succeeding one. The first or hereditary troopes were traditionally held in high esteem on account of their loyalty. The emphasis was on their connection with the ruling family for generations. For the rest, the one original point made by Somadeva is to substitute the 'enemy force' mentioned in earlier works by 'bhrtya' or 'servants'. Of the branches of the army the elephant corps is held in the highest esteem. The cavalry is put in tends to be credulous and imitative by nature. The people tend to follow appearances. The ruler must remember this and for himself apply criticism.
The theory of the Seven Limbs of the state is familiar in the tradition of nitisastra and Somadeva takes it for granted. He merely expresses some ideas on the various constituents of the state. The sovereign is the source of all the constituents. He should have an exalted council, avoid injustice and arbitrariness. He is the source of commands and the efficiency which belongs to his commands is the measure of his authority. He must zealously guard the supermacy of his authority. Not even royal princes should be allowed to disregard the command of the king. Not only is the sovereign the head of the constituents and the final source of commands, he sets the model for the people by his conduct. That is, he is the moral leader of the people. He is also the superior of the administrative machinery. He must specially guard against corruption. On him rests the task of maintaining the social order and ethos. "He is the maker of the age". If the king is just, the people are prosperous. But he must strive after their prosperities. He must treat the whole country as his family and help the poor and the needy.
The second constituent of the state is amatya or ministry. There are four functions of the amatya-looking after income and expenditure, security of the king, maintenance of the forces. Somadeva's advice is that no Brahmana or Ksattriya or kinsman of the king should be appointed amatya. The Brahmana is unable to spend money.The Ksattriya tends to be rebellious. The kinsman tends to exploit his position. It seems to follow that the Vaisyas are the most suitable for the postition of amatya where functions are mainly financial and supervisory. Somadeva repeats the precept of the Arthasastra that offices should be headed by several changeable officers. The principal offices, which are called karana rather
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