Economics of Kautiliya Shukra and Brihaspati.pmd

Kautilya's Definition-
The definition of Arthashastra given by Kautilya is as followsdg'iof0ff+
j[lQ/y{M. dg'iojtL e"ldl/Toy{M . t:ofM nfekfngf]kfoM
zf:qdy{zf:qldlt .
Manusyanam vrittirarthah. Manusyawati bhumirityarthah.
Tasya labhapalanaopayashastram Arthashastramiti.
Kautiliya Arthashastra-1, 2003: 15.1.180
Different translations of the this definition are given below-
Shyamashastry- The subsistence of mankind is termed Arthawealth;
the earth which contains mankind is also termed Artha- wealth;
that science which treats of the means of acquiring and maintaining
the earth is the Arthashastra- Science of Polity. (Kautilya's
Arthashastra, ibid)
Rangrajan- The source of the livelihood of men is Artha
(wealth), that is to say, the territory (and the inhabitants following
various professions) is the wealth (of a nation). The science by which
territory is acquired and maintained is Arthashastra- the Science of
Wealth and Welfare. (Rangrajan, ibid)
SK Srivastava- Arthashastra is the science that deals with
the acquisition and growth of the wealth of the state. (Srivastava,
1981: 574)
The translations above are focused in the following subject
matter-
1.Human profession is economic activity.
2.Land use for agriculture and settlements is the source of
income for individual as well as for state.
3.Economics is the study which treats the methods of getting
return from these sources and concerns itself with the increase
of sources.
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Shukra's Definition-
The definition of Arthashastra given by Shukra is as follows-
>'lt:d[lt clj/f]w]g /fhj[Qflb zf;gd\ .
;'o'STof cyf{h{g+ oq x\oy{zf:qd\ tb'Rot] ..
Shruti smriti avirodhen rajvrittadi shasnam.
Suyuktyartharjanam yatra hyarthashastram taduchyate.
Shukra-niti 4.3.37.
Arthashastra is the science which examines the actions and
administrations of state, in accordance with the dictates of revelation
(Veda) and of laws (Smriti) as well as the means of appropriate livelihood.
This definition focuses itself on the following points-
1. Economic activity should not contrast tradition,
belief and laws of society.
2. Economics is also related with political administration.
3. The earnings of wealth should be to get the optimum level
of returns.
Thus according to Katuilya, Arthashastra is a study of material
well being and according to Shukra- Arthashastra is the study of
economic and political behavior of human beings within the boundaries
of Shruti and Smriti.
Definition of Marshall and Robbins
Although there are many definitions (many more than any other
science according to economists Barbara Wootten) of Economics but
the leading definitions are two. These are as follows-
Marshall's Definition- Political Economy or Economics, is
a study of mankind in the ordinary business of life, it examines that
part of individual and social action which is most closely connected
with the attainment and with the use of the material requisites of well
being. (Marshall, 1890: 1)
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