The Ata Shastra: A Detailed Guide to Ancient Indian Life

The Ata Shastra is a lengthy treatise that provides detailed regulations governing the lives of ancient Indians, from the king to the slave. It covers various aspects of life, including the dairy industry, warfare, law, gender relations, slavery, and economics. The text offers insights into the political context of Indian philosophy and provides information about the four classes of society and the attitudes of kings towards their subjects and rival kings. Despite its practical orientation, the Ata Shastra raises questions about its philosophical significance and its relationship to the Indian philosophical tradition.