Sambodhi 1980 Vol 09

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

Page 93

Ajñāpatra and Sanskrit Works on Polity: A Comparison
91
is very exact, precise, objective, based on direct observation, busy with the contemporary problems, practical, not of magico-religious nature, and indifferent about the Cāturvarnya-system. Moreover, the king before the Sapskrit encyclopaedic texts has a lot of leisure to enjoy various pleasures, and perform nunierous magico-religious rites. But the king before the Ājñāpatra is devoid of any leisure. Therefore, the Ājñāpatra does not deal with the subjects like music, erotics, art of cooking etc. which are found in the Sanskrit encyclopaedic texts on polity. The Ājñāpatra on the other hand, expects that a king should not waste his time in fine arts, etc. Similarly, the religion which is endorsed by the Ājõāpatra is rather ob higher sort. So although there are some similarities between the Ājñāpatra and Sanskrit texts on pality, the differences are more and basic ones. the Ājñāpatra is, very unique, unparalleled, original, distinct from the tradition": and even the greatest among all the ancient Indian political texts.
References : 1) All the references to the Ajñāpatra in this paper are to pages and lines from
S. N. Banhatti's edition entitled Ajñāpatra arthät Sivaji Rājangi, Nagpur
Pune-1961. 2) Sivajici Rõjaniti, Dhule, 1941. 3) Cf; Kautilya's Arthaśāstra 6. 11 : svamyamatyajanapadadurgako sadandamitrant
prakytayah; cp. also Kāmandaklyanitisāra 4.1 : svānyamatyasca rāşiram ca durgam koso balam suht parasparo pakaridam saptāngan rajyamucyate //: Manusmrti 9.24: svāmyamatyau puram rāșțrai kośadandau sihyttathā/sapta prakytayo hyetāh saptängam rājyamucyate || Mahābhārata 12.69.62-63; rajñā saptaiva, raksyapi tāni capi nibodhu mel atmāmātyasca kośasca dando, mitrāni caiva hi //62|1 tatha jangpadascaiva puram ca kurunandana / etat saptatmikam rājyam paripályam
prayatnatah 1/631/ 4). See my "Primitive in Kautilya's Artha śāstra". Sambodhi 3.4 (Jan. 1975) p. 89
100; "Sivatattvaratnākara : eka dharmakośa" Navabharata, April, 1974, p. 51-79 and may 1974; p. 41-80; "Ākāšabhairavakalpātila Sāmrājyalakṣmi Pitbika" Bharata Itihāsa Samsodhaka Mandala, Trimāsika, year 54, Khanda 17,3-4, p. 48-53.