Jessica Frazier, a Lecturer in Religious Studies at Oxford, James Hegarty, a Professor of Sanskrit at Cardiff, and Deven Patel, an Associate Professor at Penn, delve into the Arthashastra, an ancient guide to governance. They discuss its historical roots in the Mauryan Empire and its relevance today, touching on the ruthless nature of political strategy. The podcast also explores the concept of Artha and its ethical implications, the complexities of justice and power, and the intriguing parallels between sex and politics that inform leadership dynamics.
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insights INSIGHT
Mauryan Influence
The Mauryan Empire's vast territory and non-violent ideology set new expectations for governance.
This era influenced texts like the Arthashastra, focusing on sustained power and ideological leadership.
insights INSIGHT
Sophisticated Society
Early Indian society was sophisticated, with centralized administration, thriving trade, and intellectual pursuits.
They valued knowledge and developed treatises to capture wisdom and learning.
insights INSIGHT
Authorship
The Arthashastra names Kautilya as its author, but other names like Vishnu Gupta and Chanakya are also associated with it.
Chanakya is known as a cunning Brahmin advisor, who assisted Chandragupta Maurya.
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Written in the early 16th century, 'The Prince' is a realistic instruction guide for new rulers. Machiavelli argues that an effective leader must be skilled in the art of war, sometimes cruel, and willing to use deception and manipulation to achieve political goals. The book is divided into chapters that discuss various types of principalities, how to acquire and maintain power, and the qualities a prince should possess. Machiavelli uses historical examples, including the career of Cesare Borgia, to illustrate his points. The treatise emphasizes the importance of maintaining the goodwill of the people and the stability of the state, even if it means deviating from traditional virtues. 'The Prince' remains a controversial but influential work in modern political philosophy.
Arthashastra
Kautilya
Mahabharata
William Buck
Ramayana
Sanjay Patel
Kama Sutra
Vatsyayana
The Kama Sutra, written by Vatsyayana in the 3rd century CE, is a detailed treatise on human sexuality, emotional fulfillment, and the art of living. It covers various aspects of relationships, including marriage, adultery, and courtesanship, while emphasizing the balance between pleasure and virtue. The text is structured into seven books, offering insights into ancient Indian culture and societal norms.
Raghuvamsha
Raghuvamsha
None
Kālidāsa
Raghuvamsha, an epic poem by the celebrated Indian poet Kalidasa, narrates the lineage of the Raghus, a dynasty of kings. The poem meticulously traces the rise and fall of this royal family, highlighting the virtues and vices of its rulers. Through vivid descriptions and compelling narratives, Kalidasa explores themes of dharma (righteousness), artha (material prosperity), kama (pleasure), and moksha (liberation). The poem's exploration of kingship, morality, and the cyclical nature of power makes it a significant work in classical Sanskrit literature.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ancient Sanskrit text the Arthashastra, regarded as one of the major works of Indian literature. Written in the style of a scientific treatise, it provides rulers with a guide on how to govern their territory and sets out what the structure, economic policy and foreign affairs of the ideal state should be. According to legend, it was written by Chanakya, a political advisor to the ruler Chandragupta Maurya (reigned 321 – 297 BC) who founded the Mauryan Empire, the first great Empire in the Indian subcontinent. As the Arthashastra asserts that a ruler should pursue his goals ruthlessly by whatever means is required, it has been compared with the 16th-century work The Prince by Machiavelli. Today, it is widely viewed as presenting a sophisticated and refined analysis of the nature, dynamics and challenges of rulership, and scholars value it partly because it undermines colonial stereotypes of what early South Asian society was like.
With
Jessica Frazier
Lecturer in the Study of Religion at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies
James Hegarty
Professor of Sanskrit and Indian Religions at Cardiff University
And
Deven Patel
Associate Professor of South Asia Studies at the University of Pennsylvania
In Our Time 
