Perceptions on Kautiliya Arthasastra

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This volume in commemoration of late Prof. Kangle's birth-centenary (1899-1999) contains papers relating to the work of Kautilya (alias Canakya). They are written by scholars who feel greatly indebted to Kangle's critical work on Kautilya. They present (i) the Socio-Political and Philosophical aspects of Kautilya's thought; (ii) the relevance of his thought on the present day situation; (iii) the peculiar features of his language; (iv) certain problems pertaining to the text of the Kautiliya Arthasastra; and (v) some allied topics which were not tackled by earlier scholars. Two significant topics of Indology may also we be pointed out in particular: some papers deal with the literary aspects of Kautilya's Sastric writing and again two papers pertain to some principles involved in the handling of the manuscript material of ancient texts; these are related to textual criticism. Kangle's critical edition of the Arthasastra does not (and did not) fail to invite scholars' attention to the same.

Kangle has the merit of offering a modern, agile and clear, but, at the same time, an accurately precise translation, ripened through a long thoughtful habit of study with Kautilya treatise.

"Till the recent publication of the Kautiliya Arthasastra by Prof. R. P. Kangle of Bombay, Meyer's used to be the last word on Kautilya's Arthasastra"- this was printed under the photograph of J. J. Meyer which was displayed in an exhibition of German Indologists, put up by German Cultural Organistion, on the occasion of the Jadavpur session of the All India Oriental conference in 1969.

Kangle wrote most of his books in Marathi, as his commitment to the need for making his mother tongue the vehicle of scholarship and with a view to seeing it reach the common man.

Dr. K. P. Jog is retired Professor of Vedic Sanskrit and General Editor of Sanskrit Dictionary Project of Deccan College Research Institute, Pune. He was formerly, Director of MM. P. V. Kane Research Institute of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai.

Preface

I feel very happy to have been able to publish this volume in commemoration of the birth-centenary of my beloved teacher. I also feel great pleasure in securing for this volume the articles of such scholars who have great respect for late Prof. Kangle and have undertaken to present their own views about/on Kautilya's writings, not being led away by any earlier writings. They have, as expressed by my teacher to me (in his conversation), proceeded further on the basis of his critical work on Kautilya. (In some articles and quotations in them, the name Kautalya replaces Kautilya in view of the authors' choice.)

I am grateful, first to the scholars who willingly co-operated with me in publishing this volume and then to all of them who made it possible for me to get it printed. Special mention should yet be made of (i) my teacher, Prof. M. V. Rajadhyaksha, (ii) Dr. Prabha Kangle (iii) my pupils and friends (iv) Shri. Bhargavarao Joglekar, the photographer artist, (v) Smt. Padma Sahasrabuddhe who has made the Book-Cover, and (vi) Shri Ramdas Bhatkal (He also is Prof. Kangle's pupil.) and Smt. Rahee Dahake of Popular Prakashan. All of these have made a substantial contribution to the publication of this volume.

Lastly, yet equally importantly, I express my heart-felt thanks to Shri. Shreekant M. Shastri and his colleagues in Ganesh Offset (Printers) for seeing the work through in a very short time.