Sramana 2014 04

Author(s): Ashokkumar Singh, Rahulkumar Singh, Omprakash Singh
Publisher: Parshvanath Vidhyashram Varanasi

Page 59

The Concept of an Ideal Leader : As Depicted in Laghvarhanniti of Hemacandra
Rahul Kumar Singh
(The quality of a leader, especially of the Kings, ministers and their associates, has been explored from the very beginning of the Indian tradition. A number of works have dealt with the art of leadership. Prominent works regarding this are-Manusmộti, Mahābhārata, Arthasastra, etc. belonging to Hindu tradition. Nītivākyāmsta, Laghvarrhannīti, etc. belonging to Jain tradition, where the political idieas have been explored very minutely. The Laghvarhannīti describes thirty six qualities to be possessed by the leader, which are related with physical figure and ethical behaviour. In this regard he should also pursue the three goals of human life in harmony. The text provides specific rules and instructions regarding the leader's behaviour. With list of 'do's' for a leader there is also a list of 'dont's' which shoule be appreciated in the context of practices then prevalent. In this paper the author is presenting the Jain way of leadership in the context of Laghvarhannīti of Hemchandra.)
-Editor
The Laghvarhannītiis composed, in Sanskrit by Ācārya Hemacandra for the instruction of the Caulukya king Kumārapāla. Ācārya Hemacandra in Laghvarhannīti says that he composed his work on Nīti at the insistence of king Kumārpāla.' He claims to have relied on the ancient Sastra called Arhannīti to which he refers occasionally and which he even quotes at places. From these references and quotations Arhannīti was a Prakrit text.? For Acārya Hemacandra, Rājanīti is held to be distinct from but connected with Dharma and Vyavahāra or Vārtā; which portrays his concept of welfare state. His treatment of Rājanīti may be broadly divided into two parts, a short one dealing with the principal constituents of the state, and a long one dealing with a number of state policies and practicle aspects of governance.