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Arthashastra

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मति कर्मसु पृष्ठस् तदात्वे च आयत्यां च धर्म अर्थ संयुक्तं समर्थं प्रवीणवद् अपरिषद् भीरुः कथयेत् ॥

When his opinion is sought about present or future schemes needing much thought and consideration, he may boldly and sensibly, and with no fear of contradiction from the assembly of ministers, pronounce his opinion so as to be in harmony with the principles of righteousness and economy. When required, he may answer questions on points of righteousness and economy (and tell the king):

english translation

ईप्सितः पणेत "धर्म अर्थ अनुयोगम् अविशिष्टेषु बलवत् संयुक्तेषु दण्ड धारणं मत् संयोगे तदात्वे च दण्ड धारणम् इति न कुर्याः, पक्षं वृत्तिं गुह्यं च मे न उपहन्याः, संज्ञया च त्वां काम क्रोध दण्डनेषु वारयेयम्" इति ॥

"Following the rule that there should be no delay in putting down by force even a strong confederacy of wicked people, you should apply force against the wicked, if they have a strong support; do not despise my advice, character and secrets; and by means of gestures, I shall prevent you from inflicting punishments on any one, when you are going to do so either willfully or under provocation."

english translation

आदिष्टः प्रदिष्टायां भूमाव् अनुज्ञातः प्रविशेत्, उपविशेच् च पार्श्वतः संनिकृष्ट विप्रकृष्टः पर आसनम् ॥

With such agreements with the king, he (a courtier) may enter on the duty assigned to him. He shall sit by the side of, and close to, the king and far from the seat of another courtier.

english translation

विगृह्य कथनम् असभ्यम् अप्रत्यक्षम् अश्रद्धेयम् अनृतं च वाक्यम् उच्चैर् अनर्मणि हासं वात ष्ठीवने च शब्दवती न कुर्यात् ॥

He shall avoid speaking slyly against the opinion of any member of the assembly; he shall never make incredible or false statements; nor loud laughter with no cause for jest, and loud noise and spittle.

english translation

मिथः कथनम् अन्येन, जन वादे द्वन्द्व कथनम्, राज्ञो वेषम् उद्धत कुहकानां च, रत्न अतिशय प्रकाश अभ्यर्थनम्, एक अक्ष्य् ओष्ठ निर्भोगं भ्रुकुटी कर्म वाक्य अवक्षेपणं च ब्रुवति, बलवत् संयुक्त विरोधम्, स्त्रीभिः स्त्री दर्शिभिः सामन्त दूतैर् द्वेष्य पक्ष अवक्षिप्तान् अर्थ्यैश् च प्रतिसंसर्गम् एक अर्थ चर्यां संघातं च वर्जयेत् ॥

He shall also avoid talking to another in secret, mutual conversation with another in the assembly (of ministers), appearing in royal dress in the public, haughtiness, buffoonery, open request for gems and promotions, seeing with one eye, biting the lips, brow-beating, interrupting the king while speaking, enmity with a strong party, association with women, pimps, messengers of foreign kings, enemies, inimical parties, dismissed officers, and wicked people, stubborn adherence to a single purpose, and contact with any confederacy of men.

english translation