Arthashastra

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अन्धो राजा शक्यते सहाय सम्पदा यत्र तत्र वा पर्यवस्थापयितुम् ॥

Which is better, a blind king, or a king erring against the science?

english translation

andho rAjA zakyate sahAya sampadA yatra tatra vA paryavasthApayitum ॥

hk transliteration by Sanscript

चलित शास्त्रस् तु शास्त्राद् अन्यथा अभिनिविष्ट बुद्धिर् अन्यायेन राज्यम् आत्मानं च उपहन्ति इति ॥

a blind king can be made by his supporters to adhere to whatever line of policy he ought to. But an erring king who is bent upon doing what is against the science, brings aboutdestruction to himself and his kingdom by maladministration.

english translation

calita zAstras tu zAstrAd anyathA abhiniviSTa buddhir anyAyena rAjyam AtmAnaM ca upahanti iti ॥

hk transliteration by Sanscript

व्याधितो नवो वा राजा इति "व्याधितो राजा राज्य उपघातम् अमात्य मूलं प्राण आबाधं वा राज्य मूलम् अवाप्नोति, नवस् तु राजा स्व धर्म अनुग्रह परिहार दान मान कर्मभिः प्रकृति रञ्जन उपकारैश् चरति" इत्य् आचार्याः ॥

Which is better, a diseased or a new king ? My teacher says that a diseased king loses his kingdom owing to the intrigue of his ministers, or loses his life on account of the kingdom; but a new king pleases the people by such popular deeds as the observance of his own duties and the act of bestowing favours, remissions (of taxes), gifts, and presents upon others.

english translation

vyAdhito navo vA rAjA iti "vyAdhito rAjA rAjya upaghAtam amAtya mUlaM prANa AbAdhaM vA rAjya mUlam avApnoti, navas tu rAjA sva dharma anugraha parihAra dAna mAna karmabhiH prakRti raJjana upakAraiz carati" ity AcAryAH ॥

hk transliteration by Sanscript

न इति कौटिल्यः ॥

No, says Kautilya.

english translation

व्याधितो राजा यथा प्रवृत्तं राज प्रणिधिम् अनुवर्तयति ॥

a diseased king continues to observe his duties as usual.

english translation

vyAdhito rAjA yathA pravRttaM rAja praNidhim anuvartayati ॥

hk transliteration by Sanscript