Sambodhi 1980 Vol 09

Author(s): Dalsukh Malvania, H C Bhayani, Nagin J Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 90

Ganesh Thith
information given in the Yuktika'pataru is, as usual, full of superstitious details. Moreover the Ājñāpatra gives details of Navy along with its military and economic aspects and this is totally absent in Sanskrit literature. The Ājñāpatra considers Navy to be a 'limb' of a state (rājyānga) (58.1). “One who possesses horses, commands over the land; similarly one who possesses Navy, commands over the sea. Therefore one should develop navy" 58.1 ff). In the sea, nobody should disturb any merchants according to the Ājñāptra (59.6). At the time of a Naval battle, an enemy is likely to pretend surrender but at such a time, one should not blindly belive in it immediately (60.10 ff). Wood required for the sake of preparing ships etc. is to be taken from the forests with the permission of the king. The trees privately owned should not be cut for this purpose, without any compensation. For trees can not be cultivated within a year or two. Moreover, people consider them to be just like their children and if the king violates them he will be guilty of troubling his own people. (61.16-62.1). Although these thoughts are not mentioned exactly in the same way in the Sanskrit texts, the main thought can be found in Sanskrit texts. A king is expected to please the people in his state and not to trouble them. The word rājan meaning king is connected with the root rañj to please (cf. Raghuvamsa 4.12 : yathā prahladanāccandraḥ pratāpārtapano yatha) tathaiva so'bhūdanvarthah rājā prakrtiranjanat, !). Kautalya in bis Arthasāstra says that a king should take pleasure in pleasing his people and should not take pleasure out of the trouble of his people (cf. prajāskkhe sukhan rajñah prajānam ca hite hitam / nätmapriyam hitam rajñaḥ prajānañ tu priyam hitam // Arthaśāstra 19.34). In Manusmộti it is said that a king who tortures the people in his state would be destroyed along with his relatives very soon, (mohad răja svaraştram yoḥ karşa yaryanavekşaya) so'cirādbhras yate rājā jīvitācca sabandhavaḥ // 7.11). Bbīşma advises Yudhisthira nct to obtain wealth from his people in an illegal way; for it would be like one, desirous of milk would cut the breasts of a cow (Mahabbārata Vill. 72 : mäsmädharmena labhena lipsethăstvam dhanāgamam ||12| ūdhaschind yaddhi yo dhenvāḥ kṣīrārthi na labhet payah | evem rāşğramayogena piditam na vivardhate /16/)...
The polity in the Ajñāpatra is based on dharma (Religion) as is the polity in the Sanskrit texts in general. Thus it is said in the Ājñāpatra that a king should follow the traditional, hercditory religion; worship the deities, honour the holy people etc, give support to the religious places and monasteries in the state for their maintenance (15.1 ff). It is specifically said that a king should provide for the livelihood of those who are lear ned in Veda, etc. and accept their benedications (15.11 ff). He should however, not take interest in hypocretes and charlatans. He may give them