Economics of Kautiliya Shukra and Brihaspati.pmd

CHAPTER TWO
DEFINITIONS AND METHODS OF ORIENTAL
ECONOMICS
Introduction
Adam Smith, the father of modern economics named his book
as Wealth of Nations. In the 18th and 19th century the content of this
book was given thename of Political Economy. Different scholars tried
to use different technical titles to denote the subject matter of
Economics. 1 (Seth, 1971: 1) Now a day Economics is a broad name
of the subject matter which denotes, price theory, income theory,
government finanance and economic growth. The scope of this subject
is growing faster, therefore, the tools of economic analysis are being
applied throughout society, not only in business and finance but also in
crime, education, the family, health, law, politics, religion, social
institution, and war. (Wikipedia, 2009) This new trend of economics
also support the wide subject matter of Kautiliya Arthashastra.
In this chapter we shall analyze the different uses of the word
Arthashastra (a parallel word to economics). At the same time we shall
compare the definitions of Kautilya and Shukra with the definitions of
Marshall's and Robbins's definitions of Economics. At the end of the
chapter we shall examine the methodology of oriental economics.
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Different uses of the Word in the Past
In ancient times Arthashastra and Danda-niti were used
interchangeably. Therefore, Brihaspati calls this subject as Arthashastra
but another teacher Shukra prefer to call it Dandaniti.
(Mudrarakshas : 1, cited by Agarwal, 1997:7) In Mahabharata this
subject was known as Rajdharmanushasan or Science of Political Ethic.
(Mahabharata Shanti Parva, 2003, 12.58) In Amarkosh, other words
for Arthashastra are the Philosophy, the Science of Law and Order,
and the Science of Logic2 . Although, the literal meaning of Arthashastra
is the Science of Wealth but more often rendered as Science of Politics
by the analyst.
Different authors have translated the Sanskrit word Arthashastra in
different ways. A few examples are listed below-
• A treatise to help king in the acquisition and protection of the
earth. (Kautiliya Arthshastra-3, 2003: 3)
• A treatise on polity. (Basham: 51, cited by Boesche, 2003: 1-27 )
• A science of material gain. (Kosambi: 14, cited by Boesche, ibid)
• Universal laws on politics, economics, diplomacy, and war.
(Zimmer: 36, cited by Boesche, ibid)
• A science of political economy. (Boesche, 2003: 27)
• The code of common wealth. (Jayasawal, 1978: 5)
• The science of polity. (Kautilya's Arthashastra,1967, 15.1)
• The science of wealth and welfare. (Rangrajan, 1992: 100)
The comment of Sen and Basu is interesting- While the Sanskrit
translation of the word Economics is Arthashastra, the English translation
of Arthashastra cannot be Economics, as it contains concepts which
go beyond the scope of economics as understood by western economic
thinking. (Sen and Basu, 2006: vii)
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