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iii.—The Râjanîti.[1]
1.
Here is recited the Râjanîti, for the accomplishment of a king's present prosperity, and the acquirement of experience for subjugation of the kingdoms of others.
2.
I shall set forth the meritorious characteristics of kings and ministers. A noble ruler should always carefully scrutinise the actions of his subjects.
3.
A man is known to be wise by his speech—his conduct, good or bad, by the company he keeps; by his general behaviour he is known to be pure; in time of danger, whether he is a man or not.
4.
A ruler of men should avoid a servant who is indolent, harsh in his actions, severe in his mind, rough and harmful, dissatisfied and lacking strength.
5.
The king should not appoint him a minister who is
- ↑ This anthology, based on the Indian Dharmaśâstras, was compiled by the Brahmans Anantañâṇa and Gaṇâmissaka. It must not be confounded with the Râjanîti of Lallu Lâla in the Braj dialect, which is comparatively modern (A.D. 1859), and based chiefly on the Sanskrit Hitopadeśa. Chronologically, the Burmese compilation stands after the Lokanîti and Dhammanîti, and has for its prototype the Râjanîtiśâstra of Ćâṇkya, the famous minister of Ćandragupta, king of Pâṭaliputra.
