Economics of Kautiliya Shukra and Brihaspati.pmd

subject matter of Econmics. Some other terminologies used by Kautilya
and his contemporary economists later became obsolete. Some words
changed their meanings and started to be used in a different sense
according to the change of socio-political situations. Therefore we
cannot say exactly what their proper meaning was at Kautilya period.
According to Shyamashastry, the text consists of some obsolete words
and some words violate the rules of Panini, the great Sanskrit
grammarian. (Sen and Basu, 2003: 10)
Another point that is to be regarded is that the socio-economic
conditions of ancient times were quite different in comparison to modern
times. Due to progress in science and technology we are using new
and more technical words in Economics. Therefore their discussions
are general in nature.
Methodology of Oriental Economics
The 15th part of the book- Tantrayukti, in a single chapter
illustrates the various stylistic devices used to elucidate a scientific
subject along with the definition of Arthashastra. Tantra means a science
and yukti means methods. Thus these methods are related with methods
of Oriental Economics. In this chapter Kautilya explains about the
mythology that is used to complete his thesis.
The medical books used these scientific methods to find
conclusion in the past. The Susrutsamhita- a medical book by Susrut
describes closely allied 32 tantryuktis.The Charakasamhita- another
medical book by Charak enumerates 34 tantrayuktis the two additional
seem to be pratyuchar (repetition), and sambhara (possibility).
Tantrayukti was compiled possibly in sixth century BC to systematize
debates in learned assemblies. It is distinctively stated in the Susrutsamhita
(Kautiliya Arthashastra-2, 2003: 312n). The word
tantrayukti has been translated as plan of the book by Shyamashastry,
methods of science by Kangle, and methodology by Rangrajan
(Shyamashastry 1967, 15.1, Kautiliya Arthashastra-3, 2003: 312,
Rangrajan, 1992: 100).
In the 15th book Kautilya has described the following methods
to verify his thesis or reject earlier theories-
1. The book or the department of the subject- adhikararana, is
a part of the total thesis. (Kautiliya Arthasastra-1, 2003, 1.1.1)
According to Kangle, the object with respect to which a statement is
made is the topic. For instance- this single (treatise on the) Science of
Politics is composed mostly by bringing together (the teachings of) as
many treatises on the science of Politics as have been composed by the
ancient teachers for the acquisition and protection of the earth. (ibid)
2. A brief description of the matter contained in a book is its
content, as, the end of learning; association with the aged, control of
the organs of sense, the senses, appointment of ministers and so on.
(ibid, 1.1.3)
3. Similar facts- yoga, pointing out similar comparable facts
by the researcher is yoga. (ibid, 1.4.16) The arrangement of a sentence
is employment (of a sentence), for example, the world consisting of
the four castes and the four divisions of life and the like.
4. Denotative meaning, that which has its limit in the word is
the meaning of the word- padartha. (ibid, 2.9.21) For example, mulahar
is the word. He who consumes in unjust ways the property, inherited
from the father and the grandfather is mulahar in the meaning.
5. The purport of a reason, a reason proving a thing is the
reason for (establishing) a thing is called hetvartha. For example, for
charity and enjoyment of life depend upon wealth. (ibid, 1.7.7)
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