During the famous Bangalore colloquium on " The Indian Liberal Tradition" ,we had this discussion as to whether the "Arthashastra" was the only text through which we could have an idea of trade and economy of the Bharatiya state . I suggested that maybe, just maybe there were other texts which spoke about a less bureaucratic economy, which had not been interrogated by us. This search lead me to the "Shanti Parva" ,the other often quoted text on state craft in India .
"Shanti Parva" is an extract of the "Mahabharata" , when the great Bhishma then lying on a bed of arrows after the battle of "Kurukshetra" , teaches Yuddhishthira the art of state craft.
This is from Section LXXXVII of the Shantiparva , from the Kisori Mohan Ganguli translation :
It is a long paragraph of how the King should go about imposing very light taxes on the people and convince them as to the need to impose such taxes , specially the Vaisyas of the realm . The Section has this spectacular paragraph at the very end .
" .....If the king disregards the Vaisyas , they become lost to him , and abandoning his dominions remove themselves to the woods . The king should , therefore , behave with leniency towards them . The King , O Son of Pritha , should always conciliate and protect the Vaisyas , adopt measures for inspiring them with a sense of security, and for ensuring them in the enjoyment of what they possess , and always do what is agreeable to them. The King , O Bharata , should always act in such a way towards the Vaisyas that their productive powers may be enhanced . The Vaisyas increase the strength of the kingdom , improve it's agriculture ,and develop it's trade. A wise king , therefore should always gratify them . Acting with heedfulness and leniency , he should always impose mild imposts upon them . It is always easy to behave with goodness towards the Vaisyas .There is nothing productive of greater good to a kingdom , O , Yuddhishthira , then the adoption of such behaviour towards the Vaisyas of the realm"
Sufficiently self explanatory ....!!
