Economics of Kautiliya Shukra and Brihaspati.pmd
Economics of Kautiliya Shukra and Brihaspati.pmd
Economics of Kautiliya Shukra and Brihaspati.pmd
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(The God) <strong>Economics</strong> has the fruit <strong>of</strong> hard labour in one h<strong>and</strong>,<br />
Rudraksh (eleocarpus) in second, food in third, <strong>and</strong> water pot in fourth<br />
h<strong>and</strong>. His face is bright <strong>and</strong> voice is like myna.<br />
- Rajeswarshastry Drawid’s <strong>Kautiliya</strong>m Arthashastram (Second Chapter)<br />
PREFACE<br />
The definition given by Kautilya- manusyanam vrittirarthah...<br />
always attracted me. To analyze the oriental economic thoughts I studied<br />
economic ideas <strong>of</strong> Kautilya. In connection I studied <strong>Shukra</strong>-niti <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>Brihaspati</strong> Artha-sutra. It is to be noted that thoughts <strong>of</strong> <strong>Kautiliya</strong>,<br />
Ausanas, <strong>and</strong> Barhasptya school are generally common <strong>and</strong> all claim<br />
that their schools have borrowed ideas from the long tradition <strong>of</strong><br />
Arthashastra- Political Economy.<br />
I found four different editions <strong>of</strong> Kautilya's treatise useful for<br />
my study- Kautilya’s Arthashastra (internet edition) by Shyamashastry,<br />
the <strong>Kautiliya</strong> Arthshastra Part 1,2,3 (reprint, 2003) edited <strong>and</strong> translated<br />
by R P Kangle, Kautilyako Arthashastra (1967) translated by K R Aryal,<br />
<strong>and</strong> Kautilya- the Arthashastra (1992) rearranged <strong>and</strong> explained by L N<br />
Rangrajan. For <strong>Brihaspati</strong>’s thought I used two sources- Barhaspatya<br />
Arthashastra or <strong>Brihaspati</strong> Artha-sutra (internet edition) edited <strong>and</strong><br />
translated by F W Thomas <strong>and</strong> scattered thoughts <strong>of</strong> <strong>Brihaspati</strong> in<br />
Mahabharata. Although there are various collections <strong>of</strong> <strong>Shukra</strong>-niti in<br />
the market but for my study I selected two books- <strong>Shukra</strong>-niti (1987)<br />
translated by D B Paudyal, <strong>and</strong> <strong>Shukra</strong>nitisar (2008) translation with<br />
commentary by Jagdiswaran<strong>and</strong>a.<br />
In the present study I have tried to compare the economic<br />
thoughts <strong>of</strong> Kautilya with <strong>Brihaspati</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Shukra</strong>. The parameter <strong>of</strong><br />
comparison being Kautilya’s economic thoughts. The tools <strong>and</strong><br />
terminology for comparison have been taken from main stream<br />
<strong>Economics</strong>.<br />
I have not only tried to examine their modern relevancy but<br />
also find their place in Modern Economic Theory. While starting this<br />
study I was eager to incorporate latest comments on Oriental<br />
<strong>Economics</strong>. Unfortunately I found no such works in Nepal. Perhaps<br />
doing research in these traditional links is not an interesting job for the<br />
present generation. In research bulletins <strong>and</strong> in UGC’s reports these<br />
types <strong>of</strong> studies can hardly make place for themselves. For you, readers<br />
<strong>of</strong> the future, I hope this book is helpful.<br />
After doing internet searches I came to know the two new<br />
publications on oriental economic thoughts- one from USA <strong>and</strong><br />
other from India. My daughter Bhagirathi Gewali Tripathi <strong>and</strong> son-inlaw<br />
Loknath Tripathi from Irel<strong>and</strong> helped me to find the book- The<br />
Great Political Realist, from Washington. My former student Tara<br />
Rayamajhi Pokhrel from Butwal, helped me finding the book-<br />
Arthashastra in <strong>Economics</strong> from New Delhi. Both <strong>of</strong> the books are on<br />
<strong>Kautiliya</strong> Arthashastra. But I did not find any new publication or<br />
comment or research on <strong>Brihaspati</strong> <strong>and</strong> on <strong>Shukra</strong>. So, I became<br />
dependent only on traditional sources for the economic ideas <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Brihaspati</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Shukra</strong>.<br />
There are many people to whom I am grateful. I am indebted to<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>. D R Pant, Pr<strong>of</strong>. Dr. N R Kanel, Pr<strong>of</strong>. Dr. M R Dahal, Pr<strong>of</strong>. Dr.<br />
Madhavi Singh, Dr. Madhab Raj Panthi, <strong>and</strong> Dr. Tika Ram Panthi for<br />
their kind suggestions while writing the book. I would like to thank my<br />
friends B P Pokhrel, Prakash Koirala <strong>and</strong> Prashant P<strong>and</strong>eya who helped<br />
me at the time <strong>of</strong> final pro<strong>of</strong> reading <strong>and</strong> to D R Ghimire <strong>and</strong> U K<br />
Parajuli, who always encouraged me to complete my writing.<br />
It will be a mere formality to say that without the help <strong>of</strong> my<br />
wife I could not have finished the book in time. If this small efforts <strong>of</strong><br />
mine encourages my readers to explore new ideas in the field <strong>of</strong> Oriental<br />
<strong>Economics</strong> I will feel my effort meaningful. I will welcome the comments<br />
<strong>and</strong> suggestions <strong>of</strong> my readers <strong>and</strong> well wishers.<br />
Jyotinagar, Manigram<br />
Rup<strong>and</strong>ehi, 2012