Kautilya and Shanti Parva Political Science YouTube Lecture Handouts

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Kautilya and Shanti Parva

Shanti Parva-Introduction

  • It is one of the eighteenth books of Mahabharata- the India epic.
  • It has 3 sub books and chapters.
  • It is the longest book of Mahabharata.
  • It has treatise on Statecraft and how King should dispose his duties towards his state.

Sub Books of Shanti Parva

  • Rahdharma Anusasana Parva: It contains the information about duties of Kings and leaders among other things.
  • Apaddharma Anusasana Parva: It contains information about the means to the end a King should achieve for the welfare of his state.
  • Moksha Dharma: It contains the information about achieving the Moksha (Relinquishment from the cycle of Birth and Death)

Concepts of Polity Derived from Shanti Parva

  • Taxation system of the State: It should not burdensome and the taxpayer should not be crushed with it.
  • Ministers should sharp and devoted to the king.
  • There should be a council of Ministers and the King should seek their advice before any step but the last decision has to be made by Him solely.
  • The concept of philosopher king as established by Plato has also highlighted in Shanti Parva.
  • A king has nothing to do with himself everything should be for the state and by the means of state.

Kautilya- A Strategic Thinker

  • Known by the names Chanakya or Vishnugupta who was the royal advisor of Chandragupta Maurya.
  • Known for his work “Arthashastra” and “Chanakya Niti” a treatise on polity, economics, judicial system, and Statecraft.
  • Advisor of Chandragupta and helped him to rise to power and establish Mauryan Empire.
  • Information about Chanakya can be found in Pali language Buddhist text.
  • Sometimes also referred as the “Machiavelli of India.”

Works of Kautilya- Statecraft

  • The concepts of statecraft as propounded by Chanakya are still relevant in the modern world.
  • The judicial system, spy system, tax system and other aspect of dealing with the affairs of the state are very important current scenario.
  • He was one of the first thinkers who established in order to create a strong country unity is the foremost virtue of that country to achieve.
  • A king has nothing of his own. Every subject of the King should for the state and by the means of state.
  • Provided the formula of Saptanga-the seven pillars of state: SWAMI, AMATYA, JANAPADA, DURGA, KOSHA, DANDA, MITRA

Chapters:

0: 00 Kautilya And Shanti Parva

0: 40 Introduction of Shanti Parva

2: 05 Sub Books of Shanti Parva

5: 53 Concepts of Polity derived from Shanti Parva

7: 55 Kautilya - A Strategic Thinker

9: 40 Works of Kautilya - Statecraft

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Mayank