Arthashastra - Disciplines of a Ruler

Devanagari

तस्मादरिषड्वर्गत्यागेनेन्द्रियजयं कुर्वीत वृद्धसंयोगेन प्रज्ञां चारेण चक्षुः उत्थानेन योगक्षेमसाधनं कार्यानुशासनेन स्वधर्मस्थापनम्विनयं विद्योपदेशेषन लोकप्रियत्वमर्थसंयोगेन वृत्तिम ॥ एवं वश्येन्द्रियः परस्त्रीद्रव्यहिंसाश्च वर्जयेत्स्वप्नं लौल्यमनृतमुद्धतवेषत्वमनर्थ्यसंयोगमधर्मसंयुक्तमनर्थसंयुक्तं च व्यवहारम ॥

Transliteration

tasmād-ariṣaḍvarga-tyāgenendriya-jayaṃ kurīta vṛddha-saṃyogena prajñāṃ cāreṇa cakṣuḥ utthānena yoga-kṣema-sādhanaṃ kāryānuṣāsanena svadharma-sthāpanam-vinayaṃ vidyopadeśena lokapriyatvam-arthasaṃyogena vṛttim || evaṃ vaśyendriyaḥ parastrī-dravya-hiṃsāśca varjayet-svapnaṃ laulyam-anṛtam-uddhata-veṣatvam-anarthya-saṃyogam-adharma-saṃyuktam-anartha-saṃyuktaṃ ca vyavahāram ||

Translation

Daily Disciplines (1.7.01): Therefore, he should achieve self-mastery by abandoning the six internal enemies; gain wisdom by associating with elders; gain eyes (vision) through spies; achieve acquisition and security (Yoga-Kshema) through industry; establish his duties through administrative authority; gain discipline through education; gain popularity by doing what is liked by people; and gain a livelihood by associating with wealth (productivity).

Prohibitions (1.7.02): Thus, having controlled his senses, he should avoid: other men’s wives, other’s property, and violence. He should also avoid (excessive) sleep, fickleness, falsehood, gaudy dress, association with harmful people, and any conduct that is unrighteous or unprofitable.

The Method (Action)The Result (Goal)Translation / Meaning
अरिषड्वर्गत्यागेन (Ariṣaḍvarga-tyāgena)इन्द्रियजयं (Indriya-jayaṃ)By abandoning the Six Internal Enemies one gains Control over Senses.
वृद्धसंयोगेन (Vṛddha-saṃyogena)प्रज्ञां (Prajñāṃ)By associating with Wise Elders one gains Wisdom.
चारेण (Cāreṇa)चक्षुः (Cakṣuḥ)By using Spies/Intelligence one gains Vision (The “Third Eye”).
उत्थानेन (Utthānena)योगक्षेमसाधनं (Yogakṣema-sādhanaṃ)By Energetic Effort one achieves Security and Prosperity.
कार्यानुशासनेन (Kāryānuśāsanena)स्वधर्मस्थापनम् (Svadharmasthāpanam)By Enforcement of Laws/Tasks one establishes Social Order/Duty.
विद्याोपदेशेन (Vidyopadeśena)विनयं (Vinayaṃ)By Instruction in Knowledge one gains Discipline.
अर्थसंयोगेन (Arthasaṃyogena)लोकप्रियत्वम् / वृत्तिम् (Lokapriyatvam / Vṛttim)By Generating Wealth/Productivity one gains Popularity and Livelihood.

Index: index