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	# Kale, M.R., The Niti and Vairagya Satakas of Bhartrhari, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, Delhi, 7<sup>th</sup> Ed., 2004Authored by . Published by,		# Kale, M.R., The Niti and Vairagya Satakas of Bhartrhari, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, Delhi, 7<sup>th</sup> Ed., 2004Authored by . Published by,[[Category:Social Sciences]]

Sriram: Created page with " '''Contents''' · Introduction · Defining Politics · Revenue Collection · Importance of Sustainable Development · Justice System · Value of Knowledge '''Introduction''' Bhartrihari was a King, Sage, and a philosopher. His collected work is known as Satakatraya the three Satakas or hundreds consisting of three thematic compilations on shringara, vairagya, and neeti of a hundred verses each. Here we will..."

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Created page with " '''Contents''' · Introduction · Defining Politics · Revenue Collection · Importance of Sustainable Development · Justice System · Value of Knowledge '''Introduction''' Bhartrihari was a King, Sage, and a philosopher. His collected work is known as Satakatraya the three Satakas or hundreds consisting of three thematic compilations on shringara, vairagya, and neeti of a hundred verses each. Here we will..."

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'''Contents'''

· Introduction

· Defining Politics

· Revenue Collection

· Importance of Sustainable Development

· Justice System

· Value of Knowledge

'''Introduction'''

Bhartrihari was a King, Sage, and a philosopher. His collected work is known as Satakatraya the three Satakas or hundreds consisting of three thematic compilations on shringara, vairagya, and neeti of a hundred verses each. Here we will be discussing some of the shloks from his phenomenal work on neeti shataks, Neeti shatak covers topics ranging from policymaking to qualities of a servant, the pursuit of knowledge to sustainable development, moral conduct to evil counsel, etc.

'''Defining Politics'''

Famous Sanskrit poet, Bhartrihari, has provided one of the most quoted definitions of politics in Indian intellectual tradition. According to him, politics has varying forms at different points of time. He narrates that now truthful, now false; at one time harsh, at another instance speaking sweetly; now cruel and merciful afterward; now parsimonious, but anon liberal; ever spending wealth and ever gaining large sums of money, the policy of kings, like a harlot, assumes a diversity of forms.'''1'''

'''Revenue Collection'''

Advising the king to first nourish the state with affluence and then desire for the taxes, Bhartrihari prescribes that O king, if you wish to milk this cow-like earth, then first nourish or enrich the nation as they do the calf. When the nation is being constantly enriched, the earth, like the desire-granting creeper, yields a variety of fruits.'''2'''

Bhartrihari discusses the disadvantages of a king who squeezes people of their wealth and accumulates it in his treasury for the sole purpose of enjoying it and keeping it to himself. The moon, pale by day, a beautiful woman past youth, a lake without lotuses, the unlettered mouth of a man with a fair exterior, a king solely given to hoarding wealth, a virtuous man ever plunged in misery, and a wicked man having access to a king's court-these are the seven barbs in my heart.'''3'''

Bhartrihari asks, what is the use of these men becoming the king's servants who do not possess the six qualities, viz. the power to command, fame, the protection of knowledgeable people, charity, the enjoyment of pleasures, and the protection of friends?'''4''' Thus, squarely stating the qualities appropriate to become servants of the king.

'''Importance of Sustainable Development'''

Bhartrihari reveals the importance of sustainability, between nature and a human, between a king and his subjects, there has to be a relationship of give and take. We have to give back to Mother Earth and nourish her to achieve her bounty in the same manner a king must protect and care for his subjects as his children then only his state would prosper. O king, if you wish to milk this cow-like earth, then first nourish or enrich the nation as they do the calf. when the nation is being constantly enriched, the earth, like the desire-granting creeper, yields a variety of fruits.'''5'''

'''Justice System'''

Bhartrihari deals with the subject of justice deliberation with utmost care. Men with high potential and steel-like grit can be put in charge of justice adjudication. The one who can stay non-deviated on the right path can serve the subjects. Let men versed in policy praise or blame; let the goddess of wealth enter their house or go away from it as she likes; let death come even today or in another age; persons of mental caliber do not swerve from the path of justice.'''6'''

The author discusses how on account of evil counsel a king is destroyed and also discusses ill effects on other things. On account of evil counsel is ruined a king; an anchorite by attachment to worldly pleasures; a son by indulgence; a Brahmana by not studying the Vedas; a family by a misbehaved son; character by association with the wicked; modesty by wine; husbandry by want of attention; affection by resorting to travel; friendship by want courtesy; prosperity by bad management; and wealth by misdirected charity or careless expenditure.'''7'''

The author warns the people of a king who has no control of his emotions, citizens of such country are doomed anyway. No one is, indeed, a favorite of kings whose anger is extremely fierce; the fire burns even the sacrificer offering an oblation when touched.'''8'''

'''Value of Knowledge'''

Bhartrihari gave utmost importance to knowledge and such people who possess knowledge are equated with the king himself. That renowned learned man whose speech is charming owing to the use of words refined by the Sastras and whose knowledge is worth being imparted to disciples who live in poverty in the dominions of a king, be speaks the stupidity or want of appreciation of the king. Even without wealth learned men are kings. The jewels are not to blame but the wicked lapidaries by whom they are appraised much below their worth.'''9'''

The secret treasure of knowledge is not destroyed even at the end of the world, does not fall into the hands of a thief, ever yields some happiness, and when given to those that solicit it, increases plentifully. Cast away your pride, ye king, towards those who have this treasure. Who can rival them? '''10''' Laudable charity for the hand, submission at the feet of elders for the head, true words for the mouth, incomparable valor for victorious arms, a quiescent state for the heart, Vedic knowledge for the ears; of high-souled person these are the ornaments even though they have no wealth.'''11'''

The author narrates the vices of pride in a deeply personal manner with fragility and sincerity and acknowledges that it is only by knowledge that darkness can be dispelled from the mind. When I knew a little, I was blinded by pride, as an elephant is by rut; and my mind was elated with the thought "I am an omniscient being'". When however, by keeping company with the wise, I learned bit by bit, the fever of pride entirely disappeared at the thought that I was a fool.'''12'''

Bhartrihari further adds it is possible to counteract the working of fire with water, and the heat of the sun with an umbrella; to control a lordly elephant with a sharp goad, and an infuriated bull and an ass with a cudgel; to cure illness by taking medicine, and to countermine the effect of poison by the use of spells. Everything has an antidote prescribed for it in the Sastras, but for a fool there is none.'''13''' Better would it be to wander in company with foresters through the inaccessible regions of mountains than to live in the company of fools even in the halls of the Lord of gods.'''14'''

'''References:'''

# Kale, M.R., The Niti and Vairagya Satakas of Bhartrhari, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, Delhi, 7th Ed., 2004Authored by . Published by,

Bhartrihari on Rajadharma - Revision history

Sriram at 06:15, 11 July 2024