LOKPAL FIASCO ENDS IN EXPECTED LINES,NOT A SURPRISE AT ALL.

I had dealt from various angles and have concluded even before the LOKPAL saga started that the present politicians, as a matter of fact is the ones who will be the losers, as they themselves are the ones against whom the LOKPAL is intended.

So it was a foregone conclusion that these guys will do nothing of the sort except try and throw blame on the opposition and vice verse.under the circumstances my suggestion to Annaji is to support the less toxic element or the leader of the down trodden though is corrupt, is at least not a master yet in other words Mayawati is less tainted, than the other big fishes such as Congress and BJP.You have to fight metal with metal.Like wise fight the most corrupt with the support of lesser corrupt. Teach the Yadavs a lesson in the process along with the big ones as well.Now if the corruption is not being tackled, at least let the new ones make it this occasion, instead of the same old people doubling their loot.

PEOPLE CAN SEE WHO AMASSED WEALTH,ANNA'S LIFE SIMPLE.

The mud slinging campaign against Anna Hazare is just not going to work because people have eyes and ears.They can see who leads what kind of life.Who is wealthy and who is simple and lives life in pure genuine simplicity.That is proof enough for the people to understand the games being played.They are trying every thing and by hook or crook wants to see a strong LOKPAL derailed.

That is the agenda.Just look at the wealth of the Congress leaders.They way they travel,the way they live and the assets declared and undeclared held by them.The luxury and indulging in corruption and amassing wealth at the cost of the poor people of India has gone too far for them to believe any politicians any more.But see the life of people like Anna Hazare ,he does not own Mercedes Benz nor does he travel in luxury. He lives is a small village among the poor farmers as one among them, he has no skeletons to hide.His life is an open book unlike the so called leaders who indulges in such luxurious life at the cost of the exchequer.Also owns Bungalows in big towns and luxury apartments and Cars and so on.People have eyes don't think they will keep their eyes shut and believe the mud slinging campaign.

Now coming to ideology.It does not matter what ideology he believes in as long as he is honest and wants to stop corruption at all levels ,if RSS ideology is same so be it.People will support or if the Communist ideology is the one he believes and is honest about it that too will be OK as far as the people are concerned, because they are sick and tired of the false promises ever since Independence while on the back side all of them irrespective of the party has been looting that includes BJP, Communists, but majority of Congress leaders are the worst because, they fooled people by showing themselves to be the ones as saviors of the nation and it has been a breach of trust and deserves the worst possible punishment a nation can give such ruthless ,cunning and most of all fully corrupt leaders from head to toe.

It is laughable to see them accusing the Mayavati Government of being corrupt, If it is true, then it was the Congress, who must have taught her how to be corrupt, because there are no better teachers to teach the subject of corruption than the Congress in our country.

THE ULTIMATE 'SACRIFICE' THE MESSAGE OF JESUS CHRIST.

It has become a selfish world. The rich and mighty does not care for the millions dying of starvation.They visit the Church for the blessing of the lord, but does not understand what Jesus Christ conveyed by dying the most painful way on the cross.As the lord, why he did not avoid the certain death. It was his way of 'sacrifice', so that other living beings are left with lesser pain for he tried to maximize the pain endured by him, so that others gets that much less pain in life.

How many Christians do understand the meaning of that ultimate sacrifice, such as the sun burning itself so that we get light and life. Visiting the Church every Sunday does not get you the salvation or blessings, on the other side visiting the church and not knowing or trying to understand what Christianity is all about is the ultimate ignorance, for which the lord will never forgive the mighty and powerful, who are so selfish that they might rather destroy the excess food/grains by dumping in the sea, but still would not share it for the hungry in the name of economics and the mathematics they feel is good for their selfish deeds.

My lord, it is a pity that your efforts in reaching out to these silly people has failed miserably.They are still the same old selfish guys, who do not give a second thought for the hungry and thirsty millions dying around the globe ,but is scrupulously safe guarding their ill gotten wealth for they do not know that is has no value and they will never get to use it in their life or for that matter their future generations also will suffer due to their sins because they just forgot the consciousness of feeling sympathy for the unfortunate, what an irony for them to be calling themselves true Christians, but in real does not understand what Jesus Christ tried to convey through his life and death, I understood the fact and I truly believe in the lord[Though I am born a Hindu.] which is all one, I may call it in my Hindu way while the Muslims may call it their way, but just as the great souls such as Shirdi Saibaba and Sree Nrayanaguru declared that "Sub Ka Malik Ek" which means the the lord of all living being is one. And Narayana Guru told "it does not matter which religion or caste you belong, but being righteous and good is what matters most"

Achyutam Keshavam

Achyutam Keshavam

Sowparnikamrutha - Evergreen Malayalam Song

John Lennon - Jealous Guy (Perfect HQ)

Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here

John Lennon - Give Peace A Chance

The Beatles - Hey Jude (HQ)

The Beatles - And I Love Her

The Beatles - I Want To Hold Your Hand

The Beatles - Help

Devil Woman - Cliff Richard

Neil Diamond - Song Song Blue (Stereo!)

Dire Straits - Money For Nothing

WORST CORRUPT LEADERS ARE THE CONGRESS TOP ONES?

The drama in relationship with Jan LOKPAL bill has been dragged on for decades itself, is proof enough for any layman with little intelligence to understand the complicity of the ruling Congress and its allies. But the worst among them are the top leadership of the Congress , the mother of all corruption seen in India from the seventies onward.

For a person old enough , who has seen the emergency period and the elections fought right after the Morarji government failed to live up to the expectations, saw for the first time, how money power was used for fighting elections. By none other than the so called great Mrs.Indira Gandhi herself. The Congress funds abroad itself will be enough to bail out the ailing economy of our country.

When we see the Congress behaving as if they are the angels is the worst joke one can see and every guy on earth knows who are the power players in India, and how they amassed wealth over decades of corruption from top to bottom.

Now coming to Mr.Chidambaram who was a lawyer with a tag of millions per hour of appearance in any case,itself proves the power he wields among the judiciary and investigating agencies.The millions paid for his appearance will not be wasted, because he will win ultimately with his clout and connections in the corridors of power, where he too is among the top players the exact reason why the Congress is vehemently and so stubbornly supporting him because he is one of the kingpin and knows some information or is party to information which can destroy Congress's mask of innocence.

The top corporate honchos are all pawns who plays around these cronies of the top Congress leadership who matters in every thing and anything that goes around in Delhi or for that matter in all around India.

So my intuition tells me nothing is going to be done as far as the Jan Lokpal bill is concerned , all they are doing is to play the game to delay it by beating around the bush for as long as possible, and till such time when the people at last lose interest in it and some other more important issue crops up to bury this issue for the time being.

If Mr.Chidamparam falls then the trail will lead to the top which at any cost they will not allow. Also the fact that the alternative opposition also comprises of the same ilk means our people for the time being has no other option but to look upwards for the lord to help in his own unique ways

ENOUGH MONEY FOR OLYMPIC SPONSORSHIP, BUT NOT FOR HUMAN LIVES?

It is very surprising that the Dow Chemicals who are yet to pay compensation for thousands of people killed in Bhopal Gas tragedy more than two decades ago, have enough funds to sponsor an Olympic event single handed, while on the other side the company, which was named Union Carbide earlier has not paid a single penny yet, to those thousands of people who died due to the tragedy.Leave alone those who are suffering due to the toxic gas which was leaked and has effected thousands of families in the vicinity.

What an irony for the so called developed Country like UK,which did not raise a single question on the tragedy or the compensation paid.They are only concerned about their Olympic games of 2012,and choose the same company who was responsible for the deaths of so many thousands.Under what circumstances, can they justify their action in accepting the very same Company which owes millions to the helpless poor people who perished due to their ignorance.

Also the Indian Government which kept a mute silence on the issue from the time it was known that Dow Chemicals are the Official sponsors of the London Olympics,did not raise an objection now at last, for the sake of fooling people it has raised the issue, but does not seem to be taking a tough stand to boycott the Olympics if Dow chemicals remains the sponsor.

It is very unfortunate that people are willing to spend millions of dollars for sponsorship of great events for publicity, but is not willing to compensate the victims of one of the greatest tragedies in history ,for which they alone were responsible,which looks like our peoples' life is not worth a penny because we do not have a government with spine to stand up to those guys and declare ,that we object to the very idea of such sports events, before the victims have been compensated fully to the satisfaction of all the effected families.

CREATION OF NUMBER OF CHECK DAMS DOWNSTREAM THE ANSWER.

The present deadlock between Tamilnadu and Kerala over the weak and old Mullaperiyar dam issue, perhaps can be resolved by creation of a number of check dams between Mullaperiyar and Idukki dam.
In the event of a disaster the check dams down stream can hold water in small reservoirs of each check dam and any further flow can be stopped at Idukki which is bigger and stronger dam and can hold the rest of the water after these check dams considerably hold the majority of the water flow.The major share of the fury of the water flow will be reduced by these check dams, which also can be used for generation of electricity for the people while on the other side these check dams can hold considerable amount of water and also will check the flow in quite a number of suitable places to be identified.

These check dams are the best idea also for flood related accidents in a number of rivers during monsoon. These check dams can hold enough water for the surrounding areas ground water level also will increase and the wastage of the water running to the sea is avoided as well. We see a lot of rivers are dry during summer because the water is allowed to flow to the sea without hindrance instead we can harvest these waters for the summer and cultivation to help agriculture activities.

We must see that each river water is preserved in ways of these check dams in regular distances, so that the flood situations can be avoided and the water resources can be used to the maximum or optimum level and see that the precious water is used in ways to benefit the ever increasing usage of fresh water as our population also is increasing.

NOW THE BACKGROUND HORSE TRADING BEGINS?

This was exactly how the Congress played their cards, while in UPA[1],when they wanted the Nuclear Bill passed and the communists backing them then refused to support.First they created an impression that they are holding back, while in reality they were pursuing their plans meticulously, They then started to buy out MP's with the help of great players of the old game, like Mr.Amar Singh and company,money would not be a constraint or hindrance, as that will be provided discreetly, by the people who stands to benefit, or the ones who are about to invest for profit in the later stages.

The background players must have initiated their moves already, if I am not mistaken,because we have already seen the same scenario.The communists made a blunder then, by allowing them time to buy out enough numbers, by being naive to the realities then.Or was it deliberate? Well, that is a billion dollar question.They could have immediately withdrawn support before the congress, brain- washed our population, while their stooges purchased enough numbers of MP's from behind the scene moves to win the voting on it subsequently.

The same story is being scripted this time as well.But the scenes have changed Players have changed and the rules governing the number game remains the same.My suggestion to the people who cares to see a better India, is to withdraw their support now, as this government has already eaten up enough for our generation and is now going on giving away enough of our future generations' hopes also, as the prime minister himself is not above suspicion any more.

Their credibility is in question. I do not see many guys in the present government who are honestly and earnestly working for the people of India.All they are doing is making themselves rich and their cronies are the ones who alone gets benefits. Our huge numbers of poor people has no hope under them.Now I see them as the cheapest commodity in the international arena, as we see them working abroad as daily laborers or in conditions which reminds us the slavery which prevailed in US a few centuries back. Our people unlike the African Nationals of US are yet to get their freedom from the elite or the corporate honchos abroad [Like Satyam who made our youngsters work to death for their profits alone].

HOW DOES THE RETAIL TYCOONS WORK?

The much hyped about subject for the last few days has been the sudden declaration by Congress in India, deciding to open up the Retail Markets.So abrupt and surprising was the move at the least expected times, when our economy is facing grave dangers due to the thought less approach by our government in connection with inflation,black money holders'lists they have, but are not disclosing,thereby saving their own partners, in the action of looting our countrymen, since decades. The opposition to the said FDI today will come around soon, as one by one, all of them will be given their due share for a 'Yes' vote.

Now let us see what happens when the corporate like Walmart enters India. They will begin by selling their products at half the price of prevailing market cost, to shut out the marginal traders who can not afford such luxury, due to their limited Capital and margin,while the corporate such as Walmart would not care or will spends hundreds of millions in the initial stages to make the people go for their goods,naturally so, as it will be cheaper to begin with, for half the price of a small retailer. After some months the small retailer is bound to lose out due to their inability to match the price wars,because of their limited resources.Once the small players perish by huge loss over a period the corporate become a monopoly, and can start to sell their products double the price, as the people by then will be left with no other option but to purchase from them.They not only make a quick buck in no time and the millions spent in the initial stages will be recovered in months.

We can look back to see this pattern when the Coca cola & Pepsi entered and bought out all the local players by either threats of such practices or by simply offering their products at half the price of the local beverage companies.Once they took over or rather bought out all those local players they started to charge double and made huge profits which they took away in billions.

The same tactics will be used by these players too, as they can afford to spend or sell on loss for such times till the local small shop owners close down, after which they will dominate the market and will be at liberty to purchase goods from any where around the world, cheaply and sell with huge margins.

The way our Government is supporting them in all their en devours gives rise to doubts, of big players or the International Mafia, which might be the power behind all such covert/suspect actions of our governments,as they take a piece of the cake and keeps quite, and the actual show is run by the said Mafias.

Other wise, I see no reason for the stubbornness of our Prime Minister, on every such occasion he was seen fighting in favour of these bigwigs internationally. All such actions have been a sell out of our countries' interests.Now after this FDI fiasco too is over, he can relax a content man having done all that his 'masters' asked him to do. He will be patted on the back by those powers, who ever they are, saying "well done old man,now move over your services are no more required by us".

LAST THREAD OF OUR MARKETS TOO SOLD OUT.

The hurry with which Indian government passed the legislation to sell our Retail markets too was such a blatant and open blow on our citizens.The chaos and public outcry of the present scenario, inflation in double digits,prize rises abnormally high along with farmer suicides and mass scale population struggling to make the two ends meet, which has brought our country to the brink of disaster all of these factors were of no relevance to our present Government, led by Congress [UPA2],as it has been meticulously following the sell out of each and every sector/part and resources of our country and its huge market of 1.2 billion, to the big corporate honchos of the western world along with our corporate honchos too, as they are invited to form partnerships and loot out of our helpless people.

All the so called reforms are nothing but selling out our sectors one by one starting with banking,Insurance,automobile,mines, telephones,power & energy etc; now to add on ,even our Retail Markets too has been left open for Walmart and company.The argument that it is going to create employment is rubbish, because the reality is that our millions of small retail shop owners will perish and are being invited to be the employees/slaves of those Big corporate owners, who will be taking the loot out of our country.

But our people, if united, can boycott those big stores and keep our retailers in the business instead, by choosing to purchase provisions from our own people rather than the big malls.Like wise, we can choose the products made by our farmers and industry instead of purchasing from those owned by the cunning corporate honchos,that will ultimately make them shut their shops and go away.Their bankers suffered because we had our Public sector banks catering to all sections though the likes of present government, would have been happier had all our public sector banks' sold their shares to these corporate big guys.But our public sector banks still not only survived but saved our country from utter disaster during the economic meltdown witnessed in the western markets, where one by one the banks, all private owned fell or are being closed every week due to bankruptcy.

Our people must realize that there is no guarantee if we depend or invest in their banks or insurance as we have witnessed them falling like never before, leaving the investors lose their hard earned savings.This must be on the back of our mind, as we know that our government is helping them directly and indirectly to make money from our population which is growing hence,the vested interests are keenly black mailing or bribing their way to get our government to open up the sectors one by one. Our so called great economists running the government has succeeded easily in the process of sell out, as they virtually had no opposition, as all our political parties were self centered and all of them took their chance to make a quick buck.At this rate before long, we might see our people also being sold as slaves, to work for these very corporate guys for money by our politicians. God knows whether it is already happening.

Now, one wonders that it would have been better, had we remained under the British rule who had at-least little sympathy, unlike our present government the worst ever,after our independence.We can only look upwards to the lord to show mercy on our innocent citizens.

HERE COMES THE TRUTH OF EINSTEIN'S WRONG ASSUMPTIONS.

The so called modern physics was mainly assuming some theories such as the theory which states no particle travels more faster than light,which was supposed to be the fastest possible speed and so many assumptions and new theories were based on that basic theory which has now been admitted as wrong assumption.Albert Einstein's 1905 Special Theory of Relativity that states nothing can travel faster than light has been wrong, if the tests were accurate, which has been reconfirmed a second time after the September 22,by OPERA {Oscillation Project with Emulsion-tRacking Apparatus] that the neutrinos traveled 60 billionths of a second faster than light. The experiments were conducted from CERN , Europe's particle physics lab near Geneva to Gran Sasso National laboratory near L'Aquila,Italy. The two points with a distance of 730km, has been measured with an error margin of just 20cm.

This is the greatest challenge to the modern Physics which based many of their theories on such assumptions,which might later be found as wrong, the next in line of the so called assumptions are the "big Bang Theory" by Stephen Hawkins, which states the universe is the result of a Big Bang which might have occurred billions of years ago,and as a result of the so called big bang the One single globe withered to become the billions of stars,planets and satellites.[May be, my understanding of the theory may be wrong due to my limited knowledge.] or perhaps, there might have been so many big bangs in the past and also may be there in the future as well,likewise all the withered parts might later undergo contraction and become one single globe later in the future.

These are all assumptions which might later be questioned and proved wrong.Like the Nine planets theory, which has lately been told as 7 planets as, Neptune and Pluto does not figure in the category due to the latest parameters used in modern physics. Interestingly Indian astrology too have Nine globes which influence mankind mostly, but instead of Neptune and Pluto it was the Sun and the Moon.

The limits of our knowledge base is such, that god alone has the answers for many questions which are beyond our comprehension and power of understanding or knowledge of human beings.

Frisks on our Ex.president Abdul Kalam an Insult to Indians,If name is the criteria then 'What about Mr.[Mu]barack Obama'?

We can be tolerant only to the extend of fair treatment, but if our President,who was the first citizen of the 1.2 billion Indians,the largest Democracy on earth, is being targeted not once but twice by US authorities, then it must be viewed most seriously. It is an insult to the greatest democracy of the world.

Though our Dear Mr.Kalam, brushed it aside by saying to forget & forgive, as it is not worth discussion, we Indians owe him so much, as he was one of the most distinguished president we ever had, and a real gentleman and a great scientist but most importantly, came from a very poor back ground and made it to the top by sheer talent and hard work. He has never indulged in dirty politics, it was a choice most cherished by Indians' when we all felt proud that we have an honest gentleman, who is genuine, unlike the most disliked and disgusting politicians on the helm today,most corrupt is some thing not worth mentioning at all, as we have witnessed the worst case scenarios,and the huge size and volumes of the figures swindled in almost all ministries some have come out in public domain ,some others are coming out slowly and some cases have been dealt so cunningly will come out perhaps a little later,the thickness of their skin is like the Rhino's.Only a few of them like Mr.Antony and perhaps Dr.Manmohan Sing alone has stood through the whole era without much of a blemish.But by siding those most corrupt snobs, Dr.Manmohan Sing has lost his own credibility also in the recent times.He is perhaps being coerced to go along or perish.

Now if the names are the criteria then the Americans should be frisking their own president for his real name could only have been Mr."Mubarack Obama"as his father was a Kenyan Muslim [If my memory has not failed me.]which,must have been later made up to look more acceptable to American citizens and changed to Barack. This fact can be realized by Indians easily as we come across such names which are very common among Muslim community in the world.

Our government should have been more tough, while dealing with such insults on our countries' most respected personalities.We can very well treat the same way their ex. first citizens' as well, but our decency and culture is much above the culture-less behavior of Americans, who are actually following a barbarian culture , understandably due to their history, which is only about 2 to 3 centuries old and the most cruel and barbaric can be seen from their brief history for they wiped out the entire Red Indian populations first, by killing on sight all the sons and daughters of the soil in their own country, then followed the slave trade and the rest of the history of plunders and mass consumption of the resources starting with their own greenery and animals is history.

They are at least 20 generations behind Indians. Whether they acknowledge this fact or not it is the truth,it can be surmised by the consumerists lifestyles and the rate at which they gobbled up their countries' vast resources with out any regret or forethought for their future generations. They plundered and led lives of spendthrifts to find themselves now in such a precarious condition and the whole world is effected.Above all they killed millions of innocent people around the world if the leader does not listen to their liking.

Just give a thought to their eliminations [the word used by them] starting with the red Indians and the animals for sport and fun followed by mass imports of African slaves,who were treated worse than the animals on those days for centuries, abused and killed for centuries before better sense prevailed and the old hawks were silenced. But again their trigger happy life did not change for the World Wars followed by Vietnam and so many other countries around the world found their missing citizens alarming,WWW 2, was yet another disaster with even atom bombs used on human beings and the effect is there even today as it has been for generations.

Now the west Asia is suffering along with Afghanistan, Pakistan and so many other Arab countries
are the targets now. How long can this go.The next 3 years is going to be the worst scenario for US citizens and all those who supported their cruel acts around the world. The Arms lobby will find themselves facing the wrath of god first, then others will have to pay back for generations for their sins just as the Jews, after the crucification of Jesus Christ suffered for about 20 to 25 generations and are still not mending their ways, as they simply do not understand the results of 'Karma'. In other words the one who commit sins will have to pay the price for generations.The best examples are the Jewish money lenders who suffered en mass , during second world war. It was the culmination of their forefathers' sins who started by crucifying Jesus Christ, there was a noble soul, who took them away through Europe from the place called Jerusalem or present day Israel, to allow them to live and rid of the karmic results, by living righteously, but unfortunately most of them forgot the values and Karma and indulged in cut throat money lending, which is the most despicable act, which carries a curse on those who indulges in such easy money making process [but rewards those, if done for the needy ones to make a life and takes his capital with some extra given out of gratitude for having given them a chance to live honorably if it results in loss leave it as charity.], But instead what we witness is the mode of recovery by those cut throat lenders are most bewildering, even worse, as they tend to go beyond the criminal laws to punish the defaulters by threats and kills. These acts mounts on to their lists of sins committed and they will suffer for generations.

For those who suffers but still hold on to their values and ethics will reap harvest for generations,the god is with them, the exact case with India, where the poorest are the most nice people you can come across and will not touch others money, even if they get a fortune on the road side,there are still people who try to find the real owner to return the same through the help of police.

The reason we find more and more sages in Himalayas doing meditation is because they have realized the futility in living life to harm others,but instead leads a life to get them selves enlightened through meditation for years, and it is surprising to see that they can survive without food and drinks daily, only at times takes some medicinal leaves along with water which is enough for them.The energy they get is from the Sun light of early mornings and late evenings

May lord help those sinners realize the truth and mend their ways,Charity to help the ones in real need is the order of the day. Those who realize this truth is wise and great souls but those who waste their lives without an iota of goodness in them will perish, unfortunately, their future generations also suffers for no fault committed by them. Some are blessed with good life because their fore fathers must have done good deeds or they them selves must have been the ones who did good for others. The debits and credits or the merits and demerits are meticulously kept by the lord him self, who is the best book/ledger keeper that has ever existed, seen or realized.

UNKNOWN FACTS BEHIND SRILANKA'S AGGRESSION AGAINST FISHERMEN

There has been a lot of facts not known to Indian authorities about the atrocities and mass killings of hundreds of thousands civilian Tamils in the name of their fight against LTTE.There are still lacs of Tamils missing in 'action'. The Chinese have been the main force, which helped the Lankans in these mass massacres of innocent Tamil civilians.

What happened to those hundreds of thousands of Tamils who were there, prior to the gruesome operation,with deadly weaponry along with the help of deadly virus mixed food and beverages supplied to those hungry Tamils, who were caught between the combined Chinese and Lankan military and the LTTE. They are not to be seen and the number of those living in temporary shelters are very much below the number, much below the expected population who were 'removed' from the scene of fighting.The missing ones have most probably been poisoned,with the help of Chinese as they are experts in such cunning designs and what was supposed to be humanitarian help, by way of food and beverages, might have been the most lethal and fatal supply they used to wipe off the huge Tamil population in the Northern parts of Srilanka.

The UN in its report had pointed out to the war crimes of huge magnitude and gave reports of mass killings of unarmed civilians which is unimaginable even in some African countries with cannibalism. The utmost disregard for human rights and its violations,is a shame on humanity, during the fight against the so called enemy LTTE. But in real they managed to bury most of those helpless Tamil populace.

The recent aggression shown by China and Srilanka in Indian ocean is proof enough of their complicity in these facts,their paranoia of seeing our fishermen, any where near their waters because, they are guarding their secret war crimes, and do not want the international community to know of the facts, which are most likely true and now the biggest cover up of the massacre is underway.

India may have to pay heavy prize for the ignorance our government showed at the height of the massacre by keeping away or distancing our selves, and not supporting the innocent Tamils who had nothing to do with LTTE. The Chinese are fortifying Srilanka with Lankan government support for their future plans of action for the supremacy in Indian ocean.Our efforts in Maldives is late and may not be enough as a buffer zone, if it comes to a direct confrontation with the Chinese in our backyard.

Especially, in the background stories, emerging almost every day of the Chinese, showing their might and their tactics of intimidation on every occasion has to be fought with political guts and will, to defend our great country from the ugly and cunning designs of a greater power.The history already has proven this point during the war during early Sixties,they can never be trusted. Ever since then the war tactics, had vastly changed in to covert operations by taking advantage of our helpless tribesmen,who has been living on the edge for decades, due to ignorance from our own governments' who were only interested to see our corporates' being listed in the Forbes magazines. Now the time of reckoning has come for the tribals' as they have nothing more to lose and rightly has taken arms most likely from the Chinese, mainly to defend them selves and for survival alone, from our own governments who has branded them as 'terrorists'[Maos or Naxals] but in real are the sufferers due to government apathy for almost six decades. Their daily livelihood, rather food at least one meal a day, is a far cry and struggle.

It is high time for our bigwigs and those who matters in the corridors of power, to open their eyes to the realities and start acting with compassion and love for our fellow and very unfortunate citizens who may not survive much longer under the present scenario.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, AN UNKNOWN COMMODITY TODAY

Opinion

Herman Trend Alert: Consumers Worldwide Demand More Corporate Social Responsibility
October 20, 2011
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By Herman Trend Alert

A few years ago, we first reported the results from the global Cone Cause Survey, focusing on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Just last week, Cone (together with Echo Research) released a new report, the “2011 Cone/Echo Global CR Opportunity Study.” The study finds that consumers are demanding a higher level of responsibility by corporations in dealing with societal issues. Consumers report they are already voting with their wallets and loyalty to make these demands felt.

The study had a sample size of 10,000 consumers in 10 major countries around the globe, including United States, Canada, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia, China, India and Japan.

Among the overall key findings: 81 percent of consumers said companies have a responsibility to address key social and environmental issues beyond their local communities; they want the companies to step up to the plate and do the right thing to help those in need in their communities. At the same time, even more respondents (93 percent) believe companies must go beyond what their local laws require to operate responsibly. Likewise, 94 percent want companies to analyze and evolve their business practices to make their impact as positive as possible. However, there were important nuances by country.

The bottom line: companies must customize their corporate responsibility strategies based on geography. This imperative means companies should have a broad vision to guide the core principles of engagement, then, adapt them at the market level. The only caveat is that this adaptation requires an in-depth understanding of what will motivate consumers locally.

“Consumers around the world want companies to be a force for good, both in the way they do business and in devoting their resources to address societal issues,” said Alison DaSilva, executive vice president at Cone Communications. “Just as important, many consumers globally now report they are activists, rewarding companies that act responsibly and punishing companies who do not.”

We have oft reported Corporate Social Responsibility would increase in importance. As more Gen Xers and Millennials assume positions of power and influence, we can expect that trend to become increasingly stronger.




About the Author

Herman Trend Alert

Herman Trend Alerts are written by Joyce Gioia, a strategic business futurist, Certified Management Consultant, author, and professional speaker. Archived editions are posted at http://www.hermangroup.com/archive.html

PEOPLES' ANGUISH , UPRISINGS, IS THE ENDGAME NEARING?

The change in the mood of people around the globe is proof of their growing awareness of the reality of the governance around the globe, which has been catering mainly to the richest 1% for the past several decades in the name of open market economic policies' favouring the Corporates' alone. All was done discreetly till recent times, but as always, god alone did help and with mercy on the suffering lot, did light up on the glaring disparities, through the spectrum of mass media revolution,which though was not intended for the purpose, later turned out to be the trail, leading to the door steps of corruption of mind boggling proportion with out any exception all around the globe.The complicity of the politicians in connivance with the Corporates and Government servants, was looting in large scale for several decades has now come to light.

The main reason for the outcome was the mobile phones and internet banking facilities which facilitated easy transactions for the corrupt, making their job much easier but they never could foresee the implications of electronic storing of data in different locations,which could be traced anytime of the chain transactions around the globe which could not be covered up easily as the giant 'World Wide Web' was the net , which trapped many big fishes/crooks, who otherwise were very wise and cunning, but due to the lack of knowledge in electronics,or simple ignorance and foresightedness due to the sudden evolution of networked computers, which could store data in external devices or in multiple platforms to be retrieved any time later,as well as the intranet or the main servers, could hold information for centuries making all those dubious transactions vulnerable to scrutiny.Tracking the money trail became easier for the source and receiver can be identified easily any time.

Indian brains played a big part in software's used in most banking and financial set ups along with mobile phones.The conversations through mobile phones are records with such authenticity was proved when, even our great and clever Hansie Cronje [The erstwhile South African Cricket Captain] could not deny the conversations in connection with match fixing, which was all recorded automatically every time a call is made. You don't need to tap the phones but can get it any time as and when required from the service provider, this simple fact many clever guys could not fathom or could have imagined in the earlier stages/times of mobile phone usage.

Many crimes were easily solved through the help of such electronic data available today. That is the reason for the Governments around the globe who are now concentrating and every effort in their arsenal and power is used to suppress such data and mass cover up of the materials already in public domain[such as wiki leaks],which itself has done enough damage for even the laymen can be aware of the possibility of getting the data if one asks for it.Hackers are plenty with super brains, than the ones who make the soft wares,decoding or copying of data is even done by some teenagers of the present generation.

Indian Government has got the data or is refusing to accept and is trying hard like other countries to cover up or hush up the whole stuff without further damage, by mentioning silly answers like the authenticity can not be verified,which is very hard to digest for all those who has some knowledge in computers and present world scenario. The Swiss and other Tax havens are now willing to share data but our government is, apart from not requesting, is also denying to receive any such information, perhaps by sending the mails back to sender, or receive it and spike it for ever.They are also quoting double taxation treaty, an unknown commodity till recently ,perhaps might have surprised the tax havens themselves, for they may not have known the existence of such treaties,till the time our Government "reminded" them, as if telling them 'Oh common guys you know what it means'. But interestingly we never heard of any such treaties from any of those Tax haven countries themselves.But our Government insist the treaty is binding, and we can not ask for details of people of Indian origin having funds stashed away, the reason is due to the so called treaty in existence.This is the ultimate rubbish blabber and is an insult to the intelligence of the people of India,who are mostly righteous, but not dump and duff.

Now the situation is very sensitive for the people are now very alert and are watching and listening each word or each scene, unfolding day by day. The simple truth is that you can not fool all the countrymen always. Now as told by some authority, 1/3 of our districts is in control of Maos,who are heavily armed and is hell bend on a violent revolution, while the middle class is supporting the peaceful movements such as Anna Hazare's Lokpal or the likes of Occupy Wall street.Now if the Government embark upon a bailout of King Fisher for instance,to pacify the 1% [Super Rich Corporate],mentioned above again so blatantly, could be the triggering point, and all hell will break loose.The populace is also keenly watching the corruption scandals and the covert plan ,perhaps by the government to go soft on them to make sure their government majority is not compromised, will also have its repercussions [As may be proved in the case of Amar Singh].On the other side,the accused ones' might start to name big fishes, once their court trial gets serious, which also will be ringing the alarm bells on the government of UPA2.

But for sure the end game is nearing, the winter session of parliament will be the most critical phase, while the whole country is waiting with anguish and frustration, the Kerala Court mentioned it aptly by reminding that this is akin to 'slow killing of our countrymen', in other words the thousands of farmer deaths [which has become a non event/issue these days] can be equated to mass murder by the apathy of the government machine. Millions have already died due to the ignorance of the Government and the burden of price rises year after year, due to sheer frustration some committed suicides while others succumbed to serious ailments due to stress , poverty and lack of government support or treatment. This government has become non functional and is in a coma,but they don't want to move aside as well. This is proving to be very dangerous for our dear Mother India. May the lord show mercy on the people of India and the Globe.

Vishnu Sahasranamam (full with lyrics)

OM (aum)

Durga Chalisa

LIFE & TIMES WITHOUT GUARANTEE.

The most unlikely lesson most people forget to learn is that our life,job and the very existence of mother earth itself has no guarantee. No matter how secure you might feel, be it financially or safety of your surroundings or the safety from the people, who surrounds you as friends.No body ever can say it is the most guaranteed position ever in ones life.

On each occasion when a fool feels he has some thing in his hand which is guaranteed for life is always proved utterly wrong. Like the person who declared the 'Titanic' as unsinkable found it went down in its very first voyage itself killing thousands. Like wise those big corporations who thought they are unsinkable in terms of financial might, found themselves falling like a pack of cards a few years back.

The Insurance companies for instance is guaranteeing returns for one hundred years for a policy taken by his/her parents in the name of a child ,it is by noway different from the above circumstances of drastic changes, most unexpectedly not thought by any brilliant human minds.That is the very reason for people not to panic under any circumstances because situations evolve and keeps changing most times, making the most clever guy look the most foolish among a bunch of fools. And the most foolish and innocent one might benefit under extraordinary circumstances without him ever knowing a hint of what can be expected, such are the ways of the lord.

Now coming to those one percent so called rich who is holding ninety nine percent of the wealth of the world also may feel that they are the most clever guys on earth and has manipulated with their brains to make that fortune,but the real truth is, it does not take much time for them to suddenly realize that they have lost all in a matter of few months, such is gods' ways that it hits people according to their 'Karma' {Duty] and ultimately makes them realize how foolish they were to have done so much, to effect so many lives for their selfish deeds.

There are people who yearns for death which simply does not come to them,for they have not yet paid back their dues for the sins committed by them or their forefathers. Like wise we must remember that what ever we do for our future generations by providing wealth, is no way going to guarantee them good fortune for life on the other side, without good deeds done by us the curse is bound to be effecting our future generations as well, as can be seen in real life situations all around the world.

I pity those greats, when I see our politicians talk big economics and figures of growth at the rate of 9 to 10 % yearly, which will take us to the top of the world and so on. How little and silly these people are, for they do not have the capacity to think beyond the economic theory which they learned from people, who themselves were not sure of it,but made up some theories by trail and error and managed to compile a set of rules, as possibilities, which too has no guarantee. There are truly no foolproof economic theory in existence in today's world, we have only been aping those who became rich by other crooked means and based it all on some theory, which we imagined was the secret of their success but in reality it is not true at all.

To comprehend other than the interest calculations they do to fleece the poor, while pleasing themselves and the so called rich at these present times, and talking about profits even if made, at the cost of millions of deaths, is no matter of concern for them, because their university education only taught them how to make profit and how to be cut throats and mean to be a successful business man. They forgot to teach them first, how to be a successful human being which is primary, while a successful businessman/women is only secondary.But the Doctorates and Nobel prize given to them is not for such en devours of humanity, which has no value in today's world.The guy who makes the most lethal weapon of mass destruction will the one recognized for the most coveted prizes in today's world. He would be considered as the greatest and the most brilliant human brain on earth.

Oh lord what a tragedy, but ultimately you have a way around these guys is sure,but by then millions more will perish ,above the millions already dead,perhaps that's your way of balancing the population growth which has been abnormal.

kalabham tharam...mp4

Souparnikamrutha Veechikal

Kudajadriyil Kudikollum-Chitra

Chottanikkara Bhagavathi - Malayalam Song

Thedivarum Kannukalil - Swami Ayyappan ( 1975 )

Kanna Aalilakanna - Devi Kanyakumari

kannu Thurakkatha Daivangale - Evergreen Malayalam Song

TIME RIPE FOR FIGHT AGAINST CRONY CAPITALISM & TAX HAVENS.

We have been witnessing the global uprising against the one percent who are the problem creators of the whole globe. They have amassed wealth out of every thing & any thing.The 99% wealth is in their hands.The governments are owned by them,while the other 99% populace is helpless and suffering.The tax havens are made for them by them.They decide whom to put in power and whom to be wiped off.

The Forbes list is a ready reckoning list of some of those crooks,the rest are the private bankers' and the leaders who are behind the scene partners in all these ventures mostly. From banking ,Insurance, share markets , Hospitals ,Trusts ,educational Institutions ,constructions,real estates, entertainment industry like cinema,TV Channels,drug peddling ,arms trade,pimping ,mass media and what not. They make money out of thin air because no one questions them,who ever stands up to them vanishes from the earth.

God has been slightly inclined to help the poor by awakening them to the realities indirectly or by accidents and the show off mentality, of these crooks at times, when they are off guard and can not resist the temptation to show off their wealth and power, did give an insight to the onlooker to what is in reality the close guarded secrets of decades,perhaps the beginning of the new era must have been the 1900 AD onward,when the power tilt happened towards the US and their NATO partners.The Second World War benefited them hugely, the history would have been very different had the Germans won,but their folly of sending their troops to the freezing Russian places sealed their fate and the nuclear Bomb used against the Japanese changed the course of history.

The crony Capitalism is nothing but the close connection of the rulers,big business and government servants looting together by plotting and conniving in every which way they can and the loots are shared and kept in safe Tax havens, which were the starting point of mass scale corruption at the cost of humanity.When questions are raised the Governments drags its feet giving ample time for the crooks, to shift their loots else where, to another tax haven and the game has been going on.

Now the people are aware mostly in every part of the globe about the games, and have started to react slowly,the momentum is picking up. This is the time to end their fate once and for all for that the unity of the 99% is the most important factor, no one should be allowed to create divisions among them. All ultra fighting groups are welcome to join the effort to fight these villains and the countries helping them by allowing them to keep their ill made wealth in secret accounts in the name of double tax treaty which itself is rubbish and the banking secrecy law [Made to benefit these crooks],which they say is binding on them, the reason for not publishing the amounts kept in their banks by people from around the globe or the value of the amount kept.

Most leaders who kept huge amounts in such tax havens ,were later assassinated and their wealth will remain unclaimed and these crooks will eat up those funds too, with out allowing their countrymen have the amount which rightfully belongs to them.

The fight should be coordinated around the globe to make these guys either surrender or gets thrown out after their ill earned wealth confiscated and restored to the country of their origins. May God show some mercy on the poor people on earth who are most innocent.

AYURVEDA & YOGA FOR GOOD HEALTH & TREATMENT OF AILMENTS.

New Condition and Direction of Yoga and Ayurveda
Posted by Acharya Balkrishna
Published on 10-25-2011 05:09 AM
Article Viewed 1174 Times

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Our Vedas, Holy Scriptures and philosophy mention about yoga. Saint Patanjali had termed the control of conditions of the mind as 'Yoga'. Saint Vyas defined deep meditation as yoga. Yoga is the union of soul with the supreme soul through devotion along with control of the mind. A person who follows this path is yogi.

India has been a place of sages, seers and philosophers. Though yoga was limited to our Vedas, Upanishads, mythology and Gita or to the places of devotion and abode of sages, seers and philosophers like caves, deep forests and isolated places. Yoga was gradually becoming distinct. People started forgetting this ancient science and were attracted towards luxury and comfortable living. As a result, they had to face all sorts of physical and mental problems.

At this stage, Swami Ramdev Maharaj arrived with the sanjivini of yoga and ayurveda around a decade back. He cured several people through pranayam and yoga propounded by renowned sages and seers in a scientific method and in this way lit the flame of yoga in the entire world. People are able to get rid of their ailments and lead a happy life.

International yoga acharya Swami Ramdev ji maharaj spent a part of his life meditating in the Himalayas and gave a scientific basis to the invaluable heritage of the Indian sages, which has now become the necessity of not only India but also the entire world. Swami Ji is propagating yoga propounded by our sages and Saint Patanjali and not his. He has aroused the inner consciousness of the people through the medium of yoga but it needs to be developed.

The state of yoga was not very encouraging and was limited to some people however revered Swami Ji made it simple, easy and accessible and gave a scientific approach. In this way he gave it a definite direction. The magnificent huge residential yoga and ayurveda institution 'Patanjali Yogpith' is almost ready. The institution situated at Hardwar has been set up with the objective of giving recognition and making it easily accessible for the public. This institution will cure people from serious diseases and purify their bodies. The combination of Shatkarma, meditation, pranayam, asana and other methods would be used to develop the resistance power in the body and lead a healthy life. Charak and Sushrut and other sages and seers's methods of ayurvedic treatment would be followed to cure diseases.

According to Swami Ji yoga is not a religious affair it is science and he has proved this in the camps that yoga can cure almost any disease. Patients of obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart ailment, allergy and even cancer have been cured with the help of yoga. Swami Ji says that yoga was prevalent in the past and is also present in the future, but I have just given it a scientific basis.

Yoga was like the hidden treasure but was not beneficial for the society. The day Swami Ji began his journey of yoga that day onwards he set the goal that he would extend the reach of yoga to each and every household, every house and every individual would adopt it.

People started practicing yoga within the privacy of their homes and now they are arranging yoga classes themselves. This is a big revolution. After all the trumpet of yoga has to be blown in the whole world and fill the air with yoga.

As for now yoga has a definite direction and condition. Almost all the states in the country have included yoga in the school curriculum. Leave alone the elderly and senior citizens of the country even the children are inclining towards yoga and in this way the whole world would soon follow it as a daily routine.

After yoga, it is the time to talk about ayurveda. The ancient system of medication, ayurveda does not belong only to India but also the entire world. It has a major contribution in the development of various other systems of medication. In due course of time, its progress had taken a bad track after the 11th century and later in the 17th century it went ahead of other systems of medication. During the British rule it did not get the proper recognition from the government and at the same time its study and teaching was also discouraged. With the beginning of national revolution in the 20th century many institution were set up in order to facilitate the study and teaching of ayurveda. After independence ayurveda started moving on the path of progress.

Divya Yoga Mandir Trust is working towards extending yoga, ayurveda, spirituality, culture, values and ancient Vedic traditions to each and every household. The path of Spiritual happiness through yoga, physical health through ayurveda and human values through Vedic culture is becoming stronger.

Ayurveda is a complete, proved and successful method of treatment, which is alive for thousands of years. Herbs and medicinal plants worth crores of rupees are being imported every year. Ayurveda treatment maintains the health of healthy people and cures the unhealthy persons.

This is an indication for a bright and secured future that today Ayurveda is getting back its lost glory. The President of India and Hon'ble Vice President are deeply interested in Ayurveda. On his advice and initiation medicinal plants are being cultivated in around one acre of land in the Mughal Gardens within the premises of Rashtrapati Bhavan. This is known as 'herbal garden'. Delhi government is also setting up herbal gardens in various parks.

The possibilities in the field of ayurveda are now clear. Though it is not getting the expected encouragement in India but it has become extremely popular in America. India has moved a step forward in order to encourage the study of Ayurveda in America and capture the 40 million dollar market in that country. It has also given a green signal to the proposal for sending experts to teach Ayurveda in ten American Medical colleges.

Several Americans have gained from the ancient Indian system of medication. In this reference, a senior medical expert of Indian doctors, C. Shah said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has supported this recommendation. He is in constant touch with the officials of ayurveda department in this regard. Under an arrangement Indian government would bear the cost of two professors. Short courses in ayurveda would encourage people to learn ayurveda. It is capable of curing several diseases.

The treatment of diabetes, hypertension, colitis, arthritis, depression and cirrhosis is possible and has been proved scientifically. India and America's joint research in the field of ayurvedic medicines is mainly to stress the importance of correct use of these medicines. Presently, Korean and Chinese drug manufacturers dominate the American herbal market. Indian ayurvedic system of treatment can enter the American market with this challenge where the herbal market is to the tune of 40 million dollars. Whereas in our country the total ayurvedic market is equal to one million dollar. America spends around 40 million dollars annually on the herbal medicines and products. The Indian ayurvedic professors would educate the students of ten American colleges free of cost. It is expected that several other medical schools of this kind would include ayurveda in their syllabus.

C. Shah is a former president of American practitioners organization of Indian origin and a renowned urologist in Washington. He represents around 41 thousand medical practitioners under this.

Central government should focus on yoga, ayurveda, unani and other traditional systems of medication. Budgetary allocations should be increased for these ancient sciences because ayurveda is the gift of our sages and the whole world is gaining from it for the past several years.

Divya Pharmacy of Divya Yoga Mandir Trust is arousing national feelings among the people and is firm on the quality and reliability of its products. It is advisable to use the herbs propounded by ayurveda. Europe and America are inclining towards ayurveda and natural medicine, i.e., ayurveda. Herbs and medicinal plants are proving their magical effect and yoga has spread its wings to the remotest corners of the globe. India would now educate America in this subject. Hence we can say that the condition and direction of yoga and ayurveda is definite. Please accept my wholehearted wishes for the festival of colors 'Holi'.
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DIGVIYAY DIGGING A HOLE FOR CONGRESS TO BURY ITSELF?

Sri Sri vows to fight corruption after Digvijay’s warning
Oct 27, 2011

#Anna Hazare #Digvijaya Singh #NewsTracker #Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

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New Delhi: With Digvijay Singh claiming that Sri Sri Ravi Shankar could now be used by RSS to “divert attention” from right wing terror after the agitations by
Ramdev and Anna Hazare, the Art of Living guru today vowed to
continue his fight against corruption.

“A law is necessary. However, a law alone cannot bring down corruption. A moral and spiritual wave has to be created. I have been speaking against corruption and will continue to fight against corruption,” he said in a statement.
A spokesperson for the guru had yesterday said he administered oath to one lakh people to not to give or take bribe.

" A law alone cannot bring down corruption. A moral and spiritual wave has to be created." Reuters
Ravi Shankar’s statement came as a response to Singh’s claim that the anti-corruption stir by Anna Hazare and Ramdev were part of an over-all plan of RSS-BJP to divert attention from Sangh’s “terror links”. He also warned Sri Sri Ravishankar that he too could be used by them.

The AICC general secretary said that while Ramdev and Anna Hazare were plan A and B of the Sangh-BJP, Sri Sri Ravishankar is Plan C and asked the latter to be “wary” of the two organisations.

Reacting to it, Ravi Shankar said, “People write so many things. I do not react to every comment. Everybody is entitled to his views.”

PTI

Comment by solitairebala:-

Sri Sri Ravinsankar is the founder of "Art of Living' foundation and is the most divine person who is revered by all who has attended his YOGA classes,irrespective of caste or religion.Congress is underestimating his influence over the populace who know him dearly as the most selfless Yoga guru, if you find fault in God himself, then it is time to bury you as is the case with Congress and its rhetoric,they are trying to avoid LOKPAL by targeting the few persons who spearheaded the movement,it is the mass support that counts, rather than the individuals who led it,people can find others too to organize the same movement again by some one such as SR.SRI Ravisankar himself. Mr.Digvijay may be the most loyal ruling family supporter, but is not serving his masters' well by his foolish rhetoric's.

KNOWLEDGE OF THE HIGHEST MYSTICAL EXPERIENCES.

Siddhis, Riddhis and Mystical Experiences
Posted by Jahnava Nitai Das Published on 10-25-2011 05:04 AM
Article Viewed 4095 Times


(Originally published in Tattva Prakasha newsletter.)

It has become quite popular nowadays to speak about mystical experiences and "siddhis". Most yoga and meditation groups speak of them, along with other esoteric blabber such as the raising of kundalini, opening of chakras, and other things which no one has actually experienced. On one side we have new age gurus speaking of siddhis very cheaply as though they are as common as sand on a beach, and on the other hand we have "rationalists" who discount siddhis all together as mere fantasy.

Siddhis are a reality, and the science behind them has been passed down from time immemorial by the rishis and preserved in the Vedic texts. In actuality nothing is mystic. Everything functions according to natural laws. The rishis, by virtue of their expanded consciousness, understood the functioning of matter on the subtle levels of sound and mind. They actually understood the absolute laws of nature, and not just the surfacial reactions caused by mixing gross physical elements.

True transcendentalists have no interest in mundane material life. As such, the rishis did not give much importance to material powers and perfections. They were not interested in acquiring wealth, power, fame, etc. Their aim was much higher.

Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita:

vishaya vinivartante
niraharasya dehinah
rasa-varjam raso 'py asya
param drishtva nivartate

"The embodied soul may be restricted from senses enjoyment, though the taste for sense objects remains. But, ceasing such engagements by experiencing a higher taste, he is fixed in consciousness."

We must imagine how great the spiritual experience of the rishis and yogis must be to turn away from absolute material power - control over the fundamental laws of nature - and sit alone in the forest absorbed in meditation. That is the brahmananda, paramananda, shivananda, yogananda spoken of in the scriptures - the spiritual bliss which is the constitutional nature of the self. Experiencing a higher taste of spiritual bliss, they are able to renounce all lower material sensual enjoyment - both subtle and physical.

How else can we explain the countless yogis, jnanis, tapasvis, siddhas, and rishis who dwell in the sacred realm of the Himalayas. High in the mountains, surrounded by a forest covered in snow. The rishis are there even today meditating on the banks of the Ganges. What keeps them there, living in apparent poverty? Are they fools, are they mad? No, on the contrary, the world is mad and we are all fools. For we are chasing after the broken glass of sense enjoyment, while they are offering us the diamonds of
spiritual bliss.

The rishis are calling to us. We must heed their call. Whether we are in the city or in the forest, it makes no difference. Internally we must all become rishis and sadhus - transcendentalists of the concrete jungle. Be situated in your place and attain the goal of life, this is the message of the rishis and the Upanishads - sthane sthitah shruti gatam tanu-van-manobhih.

The aim of those following spiritual discipline is to become free from the desire to lord over material nature. Those seeking mystic perfections are motivated by their desire to control matter, subtle and gross. Those who are sincerely interested in spiritual life should try their best to become free from such material desires. I have seen many people who belong to lines that focus on siddhis. Some of the siddhis are amazing, some are just stupid. Everything from being able to pull chocolate out of the sand (the specialty of one particular sadhu) to being able to change the density of matter. Through various processes of meditation one's mind is expanded and the understandings of matter become much greater. All matter is based on sound, so through sound it can be manipulated. Furthermore, the physical realm of our experience exists and is based on the subtle mental realm. Those who have conscious access to that realm can know and do things that we would consider to be mystical or supernatural.

There are eight primary siddhis described in the scriptures, and ten secondary perfections. Lord Krishna confirms this in the Srimad Bhagavatam as follows:

siddhayo 'shtadasa prokta
dharana yoga-para-gaih
tasam ashtau mat-pradhana
dasaiva guna-hetavah

"The masters of the yoga system have declared that there are eighteen types of mystic perfection and meditation, of which eight are primary, having their shelter in Me, and ten are secondary, appearing from the material mode of goodness."

The eight primary mystic perfections are as follows:

Anima-siddhi - The ability to decrease the size of one's body and become smaller than the smallest particle. Through this siddhi one may enter into stone or change the density in one's body, enabling one to pass through solid matter.

Mahima-siddhi - The ability to increase the size of one's body, ultimately enveloping the universe.

Laghima-siddhi - The ability to make one's body lighter than air and fly at will. The perfection of this siddhi enables one to travel on the sun's rays and enter into the sun planet.

Prapti-siddhi - The ability to manifest any object one desires within one's hand. This siddhi removes the limitations of space which seperate two objects from each other. It is said one will even be able to touch the moon with one's finger [i.e. the limitation of distance is removed].

Prakamya-siddhi - The ability to attain anything one desires.

Ishita-siddhi - The ability to control the sub-potencies of the laws of nature. This enables one to control various energies and seemingly defy the laws of nature. On the lowest level, one may make fire come from one's mouth, etc.

Vashita-siddhi - The ability to bring others under one's control.

Kamavasayita-siddhi - The ability to attain anything anywhere. This is the highest of the eight and contains most of the abilities of the other perfections.

The ten secondary perfections are as follows:

1) The ability to be free from hunger and thirst. With this perfection one no longer depends on food and water for maintenance of one's body. One will be able to sustain himself simply on prana, the life air.

2) The ability to hear things far away. With this perfection one can hear any conversation spoken anywhere in the world.

3) The ability to see things far away. With this perfection one develops a mystic vision, by which one can see any person or place. Sanjaya, the disciple of Vyasa, used this siddhi to see and hear the conversation between Krishna and Arjuna (known as Bhagavad Gita) which took place on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, though he was situated far away.

4) The ability to travel at the speed of the mind. With this perfection one can travel great distances in a moment simply by thinking of the destination.

5) The ability to assume any form one desires. This enables one to change one's physical body at will.

6) The ability to enter the bodies of others. This perfection enables one to enter into the bodies of others and enjoy through their senses. Since ghosts do not have physical senses, they often resort to this to satisfy their desires through other's bodies.

7) The ability to control the time of one's death. With this perfection one may choose the time of leaving his body.

8) The ability to witness the pastimes between the demigods and the celestial girls called apsaras.

9) Satya-sankalpa - Perfect accomplishment of one's determination. Whatever one desires to happen will happen.

10) Satya-vak - Giving orders that are unimpeded. With this perfection one's very word is truth. Simply by saying something it occurs.

Besides these eighteen, there are five inferior perfections as follows:

The ability to know past, present and future.

The ability to tolerate heat, cold and other dualities.

The ability to know the minds of others.

The ability to check the influence of fire, water, poison, and weapons.

The ability to remain unconquered by others.

The primary eight siddhis are of a much higher order than the rest, and require severe discipline to accomplish. It is very rare that one will achieve such a perfection. But for every siddhi there is a reflection that is easily attained. The processes for attaining these minor siddhis are usually outlined in the Tantra-shastra. [Please refer to the course on Vedic literature to understand what is Tantra-shastra.] The processes generally involve doing upasana to a particular deity, who when pleased reveals their form to the Sadhaka. On the way many siddhis naturally develop due to expansion of the consciousness through mantra upasana and meditation. According to the category of deva one worships the result will come either quickly or after a long time, and the result will either be temporary or permanent. If you aim at a low entity, for example a ghost, the result will be quick, but it will be of minimal value. Whereas if your upasana is to a higher divinity, the result will be much more permanent and significant, but will take much more time to accomplish. The aim of the Sadhaka generally depends on his conditioning within the modes of nature. This is described by Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita:

yajante sattvika devan
yaksa-raksamsi rajasah
pretan bhuta-ganams canye
yajante tamasa janah

"Men in the mode of goodness worship the demigods; those in the mode of passion worship the yakshas and rakshasas; and those in the mode of ignorance worship ghosts and spirits."

As you progress in the modes, the worship becomes more and more purified, from ignorance to goodness. When you finally transcend the modes by worship of Krishna, the worship is completely transcendental beyond the influence of material nature.

The long term results of various upasanas are also described by Lord Krishna:

yanti deva-vrata devan
pitrin yanti pitri-vratah
bhutani yanti bhutejya
yanti mad-yajino 'pi mam

"Those who worship the demigods will take birth among the demigods; those who worship the ancestors go to the ancestors (pitruloka); those who worship ghosts and spirits will take birth among such beings; and those who worship Me will live with Me."

Sri A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, our divine spiritual master, says in his commentary to this verse:

"Pishacha (ghost) worship is called 'black arts' or 'black magic.' There are many men who practice this black art, and they think that it is spiritualism, but such activities are completely materialistic."

It should be noted that in this verse from Bhagavad Gita the first three types of worship are described as a vow (vrata). The worshipper is making a vow to the object of worship in exchange for some material gain. An agreement is being made between the two parties. But in regards to the worship of Krishna it is stated to be devotion (mad-yajinah). There is no expectation on the part of the devotees. The true yogi, meditating on the Paramatma within his heart, has no desire for mundane mystical perfections. Their worship is completely unalloyed, without a tinge of desire for material enjoyment.

Another category of siddhi involves the control of the object of worship. You do not directly acquire a siddhi, but you maintain control over an entity who by nature of their higher existence possess natural powers. This relationship is maintained through your worship to the entity, who receives nourishment from the worship.

According to the level of the deity the results are greater and more permanent. But the greater the results the more difficult the process is. As you move up from the lowest levels of worship of ghosts, to yakshas and yakshinis, to minor devas, the process becomes harder and harder (i.e. there is more sacrifice and sincerity involved). The perfection one achieves by worshipping a ghost cannot be compared to that attained by worshipping someone like Ganesha, but the worship of Ganesha will require more on the part of the Sadhaka. The results will not nearly be as temporary as that attained by worshipping a ghost or spirit. In the same way, when you go beyond the worship of the devas and you take up the worship of Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the perfection you will achieve will be much greater than anything that is offered within this material world. And more than that, it will be the most permanent (eternal to be precise). But at the same time, to attain it will require the most sacrifice and sincerity. From the bottom of the grades of worship up to the top most level (worship of Lord Krishna) there is a direct correspondence between the necessary endeavour for perfection and the permanence of the result.

The third chapter of the Yoga sutras describe the following minor siddhis:

The ability to know all languages including those of animals.

Knowledge of one's past lives.

Knowledge of the nature of other peoples minds.

The ability to make one's body invisible.

The ability to make the sounds of one's body unhearable.

The ability to make everyone happy and joyful.

The ability to possess great strength.

The ability to locate hidden things.

The knowledge of the fourteen planetary systems.

The knowledge of the arrangements of stars.

The knowledge of the movement of stars.

The knowledge of bodily anatomy.

The ability to remain motionless.

The ability to perceive the celestial beings known as siddhas.

The understanding of consciousness.

The knowledge of the soul.

The ability to walk on water, thorns and similar objects.

The ability to surround oneself with a blaze of light.

The ability to be omnipotent and omniscient.

How these powers are attained is summarized by Patanjali as follows:

janmaushadhi-mantra-tapah-samadhijah siddhayah

"The mystical perfections may be obtained either by birth, by elixir, by the chanting of mantras, by austerities, of by attainment of samadhi."

The Vedic texts describe 400,000 different species of humans existing throughout the universe (such as yaksha, rakshasa, vanara, etc.) In many of the species, they are born automatically with various powers. This is the siddhi attained by birth. By reciting certain mantras and performing austerities one's consciousness is expanded and one develops supernatural abilities. Finally, by attaining the state of complete absorption in meditation, samadhi, one attains powers depending on the object of one's meditation. For example, one who meditates on the sun gains complete knowledge of the planetary systems; one who meditates on the relationship between the ear and the ether attains the ability to hear anything.

After listing all of these apparently wonderful powers, Patanjali provides a warning:

tad-dvairamyadipi doshabijajakshaye kaivalyam

"By giving up even these powers the seed of evil is destroyed and liberation follows." This is the last test of the yogi.

Patanjali mentions one final method for attaining these perfections:

pratibhadva sarvam

"All these powers will come to one whose mind is spontaneously enlightened through purity."

Even without following a mechanical process of meditation, if one's mind is naturally purified by spiritual advancement and unalloyed devotion to God, one will automatically attain these various supernatural abilities. Lord Krishna confirms this in the Bhagavad Gita when He says:

yoginam api sarvesham
mad-gatenantar-atmana
sraddhavan bhajate yo mam
sa me yuktatamo matah

"Of all the yogis, the one with great faith who always abides in Me, thinks of Me within himself, and renders transcendental loving service to Me - he is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and the highest of all. That is My opinion."

The topmost yogi is not someone who has artificially restricted his senses through mechanical processes (like asana, pranayama, pratyahara, etc.), but one who has naturally engaged all of his senses in the devotional service of the Lord. The devotee, having experienced the spiritual bliss of bhakti-yoga, has no interest in mundane perfections and remains fixed on his ultimate aim to attain the lotus feet of Krishna. That is the ultimate perfection, sam-siddhi:

mam upetya punar janma
duhkhalayam ashashvatam
napnuvanti mahatmanah
samsiddhim paramam gatah

"After attaining Me, the great souls (mahatmas), who are yogis in devotion, never return to this temporary world, which is full of miseries, because they have attained the highest perfection (sam-siddhi)."

Questions and Answers:

For most of my life I have been able to feel objects in my left hand that aren't there and manipulate their texture and shape, etc. Do you know anything about this?

Thank you very much for your question. What you are experiencing is the residual effects of prapti-siddhi from your previous life. One of the sadhakas at our ashram had similar experiences when he was young. He would feel something like an itching sensation in his hand and he would feel the subtle presence of some object. When he would close his eyes, he could see what object was there. Later by mantra upasana he was able to revive the siddhi to the extent that he could materialize things within his hand.

The prapti siddhi enables one to acquire any object one desires by transfering it from one location to one's hand. As mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita, there are eight material elements:

bhumir apo 'nalo vayuh
kham mano buddhir eva ca
ahankara itiyam me
bhinna prakritir ashtadha

"Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego - all together these eight constitute My separated material energies."

The Sankhya system of philosophy explains how each element telescopes out from the previous element. The first physical or gross element is the ether. Within the ether all the other four gross elements are present (earth, water, fire and air) in a subtle form. The subtle quality of ether is sound, and from the sound expands the air. The subtle quality of air is touch (movement), and from the touch expands the fire. The subtle quality of fire is sight, and from the sight expands the water. The subtle quality of water is taste, and from the taste expands the earth. And finally, the subtle quality of earth, the last of the physical elements, is smell.

Thus you have a telescoping effect of the elements and their subtle qualities beginning from ether down to earth. Since each element is manifesting from the previous, each new element contains all of the qualities of the previous elements. The ether element, being the first, only possesses the quality of sound. One cannot touch, see, taste or smell ether. The air element, having expanded from the ether, possesses both the qualities of sound and touch. One can feel and hear the movements of air, but one cannot see, taste or smell the air. The fire element's added quality is sight. Thus one can see, touch and hear the fire, but one cannot taste or smell fire. The water, having expanded from the fire, can be heard, felt, seen and tasted, but not smelt. And earth, being the final element, contains all the five qualities of sound, touch, sight, taste and smell.

This sequence is the natural sequence of manifestation of gross matter. The prapti siddhi enables one, through mantra, to reverse this process and transform gross physical objects into ethereal objects by merging the respective elements into their source element. Thus one takes an object located in a particular location, and by utilizing mantra siddhi, one merges the earth element into the water element, the water element into the fire element, the fire element into the air element, and finally the air element into the ether element. As you merge each element into the previous, the corresponding quality disappears (being merged back into the source element). In this way, a physical object is transformed into an ethereal object with no quality other than sound. This ethereal object can be transferred over space by mind, and then the entire process is reversed to remanifest the original object in one's hand.

What appears as a mystical feat to most is actually manipulation of the subtle laws that govern physical nature. There are eight major siddhis and ten secondary siddhis, all of which are based on manipulation of the subtle laws of nature.

To revive this latent siddhi you will need to take up mantra upasana very seriously. At present we are shifting our library from one location to another, so all of our manuscripts are in trunks. After one or two weeks, when the shifting is over, I will be able to provide you with the necessary mantra and yantra for prapti siddhi.

You must rekindle your spiritual pursuits. In your previous life you had undertaken much sadhana. Now continue from where you left off and perfect your life. These siddhis are not important at all. They will arise in anyone who takes seriously to spiritual practices. For the weak minded they are an obstacle on the path of self-realization. Their use is only to reaffirm one's faith that one is progressing on the path.

You have mentioned [in Tattva Prakasha 1.1] that at the final devastation Lord Brahma will also have to face his karma but I have indeed read that Lord Brahma goes to Vaikuntha upon the final devastation. Please clarify.

The scriptures state:

brahmana saha te sarve
samprapte pratisancare
parasyante kritatmanah
pravishanti param padam

"Brahma along with all of his followers enter into the supreme abode at the time of devastation."

This verse is in reference to the present Brahma of this particular universe, who is a pure devotee of the Lord. It does not mean that every Brahma in every universe will automatically attain liberation. Neither will every inhabitant of Brahma-loka automatically go to the spiritual world. Brahma is no different than any other living entity. If he engages in pure devotional service he goes to the spiritual world. The same is the case for any of us. If he does not execute unalloyed devotional service, he will take his birth according to his desires.

Sri Bhaktivinoda Thakura, a great saint in the line of Chaitanya, has sung:

kita-janma hau jatha tuwa das
bahir-mukha brahma-janme nahi as

"May I be born again even as a worm, so long as I remain Your [Krishna's] devotee. I have no desire to be born as a Brahma averse to You."

Very rarely there is a bahir-mukha brahma, a Brahma who is averse to the Lord's devotional service. Generally all Brahma's are favourable to bhakti, but there are exceptions. Sri Viraraghava acharya has stated, based on revelation, that two brahma-kalpas (lives of brahma) ago within this universe there was a bahir-mukha brahma. Otherwise we generally do not get information of what has occured in other universes, or even within the same universe in prior creations.

Is it possible to tell one's future?

Dear Sadhaka,

There are ancient sciences that enable one to know the destiny one has created for himself in previous lives. Our future is based on the previous activities we have performed and the karmic reactions we have accumulated. At the same time, free will is powerful enough to overcome any fate that one may have, provided it is powered from a spiritual source. It is like the water flowing in a river. Generally the water will follow the river bed, and it will not flow above the river bank. But it is possible if there is enough force for the water to make a new path. Such an occurrence is very rare. Thus, if a man sees a river flowing, he can "predict" the path it will follow. It will naturally follow the riverbed towards the ocean. Our futures can be known in a similar manner, but 99% of modern astrologers do not know the actual science behind it. They are simply interested in making money from the public. Only a spiritually powerful person has the purity and honesty to be able to tell your future in truth.

Can I know what will be my future. Also, can I get rid of bad luck and if so how?

Dear Sadhaka,

Everyone's future in this world is the same. We are all moving towards death. Time is constantly ticking away, decreasing our life by the second. This is the only future that everyone can be certain of. It is possible to know other aspects of one's future and destiny, but the information is not as important as this.

For all the wealth in the world, one cannot buy back one second of time wasted. Thus there is nothing more valuable than time. Use your time valuably in spiritual pursuit. Then you will be able to know your ultimate future, and become free from the bondage of "destiny".

Bad luck is very simple to remove. You must take up a daily spiritual sadhana, for by spiritual strength only can destiny be changed. Spend at least 10 minuted a day in the morning doing nama japam. Recite the names of Hari and meditate on the sound vibrations of the divine names. Swami Shivananda, the great saint from Rishikesh, has advised that this is the simplest way by which we can become free from the influence of bad luck.

Actually there is no such think as "luck". Everything happens due to our previous activities. The Karmic reactions are comming to us from previous lives of activity. We must burn up the seeds of karma before they sprout into reactions. For our previous good activities we will experience enjoyment or happiness, and for our previous bad activities we will experience suffering or disturbance. Those who have knowledge of these laws of nature know there is no luck, but only the natural law. Develop your spiritual strength and you can burn the karmic reactions to ashes. The scriptures describe that just as dry grass is instantly burnt to ash, in the same way the chanting of Hari's name will burn away the sinful reactions. If you truly want to become free from the control of your karmic reactions, take up a daily spiritual sadhana. Spend ten minutes a day in meditation on the mantra:

hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare
hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

This will benefit you immensely.
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THE IRONY BEHIND TRAVEL ADVICE BY SOME COUNTRIES.

The news of some governments' advice to its citizens to avoid travelling in India during this festive season is laughable. Because the greatest danger of terrorists attacks right now, is against the NATO itself.If they succeeded in bringing down the biggest man made structure in a matter of minutes and almost made it to the Pentagon itself, then anything is possible and no place on earth is safe presently.

The long war fought after that in Afghanistan,Iraq and other Middle eastern intrusions, covertly and overtly has made millions of people suffer in anguish.The Teenagers and small kids of those periods who has been orphaned, must be now fully grown up individuals, holding grudge and hatred towards all those forces who killed or effected millions of nice homely people adversely.

It was only unfortunate for them to be at the wrong place at the wrong time,other wise they all had nothing to do with terrorism.It was then, only a few hundreds of bad guys or few bad leaders who did all such insane activities, while majority of those countries and its people had nothing at all to do with terrorism. But the war effected them all directly changing lives and fortunes of millions in days and months and years of mindless, cruel and all out war using millions of tons of weapons of mass destruction. The enormity of destruction and lost lives are yet to be ascertained.

No body can calculate the funds wasted but it must be trillions of dollars and could have been used for far better purposes, uplifting the poor among the whole world population. We could have made billions of people live with dignity and smiles with enough food, instead those funds were used to kill innocent people very disgusting,disturbing and a matter of shame on humanity.History will never forgive those responsible directly or indirectly and has made a mess with the vast majority among our 7 billion people of the world suffering hunger and famine due to the insensitivity and insanity of a few world's so called power "leaders".{Though with Power to change fortunes of millions of poorest starving people on earth yet, the most ignorant lot as well.]

India has never attacked any country or people but only defended to save our lives.We have at times been the target of few terrorists' attacks and also have lost lives, but most of our leaders were very tolerant and never precipitated matters further instead, gave enough space left for negotiation and settlement. The mentality to forget and forgive is in our hearts for generations, though like every society we too have bad social elements who are terrorists.

The best way to fight them is by compassion and reasoning, for that we must understand their minds and see the actual reason behind resentment and then deal with kid gloves and love.Because they are after all our fellow human beings. They may be the victims of circumstances. Trying to kill and wipe them off earth is just not the answer. The more you kill the more worse and difficult is the way forward.The matter becomes more and more complicated and is a never ending process, which ultimately may result in disaster for humanity as a whole. Before that the lord must help those responsible guys see sense and for god's sake stop the killings.

India will very soon come to terms with our brothers across the borders, because we have not committed any sins, unlike the big powers who used their power, wealth and high technology for mass killings instead of mass development and cunningly few individuals among the big powers, brought it up on them, for amassing wealth and for the fossil fuel.That is the truth and truth alone will triumph."SATYAMEVA JAYATE"

'Kutha be Apna Gharme Sher ban jatha he'[Dog also becomes a Tiger at Home]

The above saying explains the logic of the recent Cricket match series first happened in England where they won 5 nil, while it was the hosts India which did it back home the margin also being the same.

THE ESSENCE OF DEEWALI/DEEPAWALI.

There has been different magical occurring in different yuga's as far back as the Goddess of Lakshmi's Birthday which was on the new moon day[Karthik]. Chronologically that may be the starting point,she was welcomed by the lights or it may be told to have removed the darkness for ever, ushering in the era of knowledge which itself is the lights.

Second occasion is much later during Ramayan,when Sriram along with Sita and Lakshmanan came back to Ayodhya after killing Ravan who had kidnapped Sita.So the people welcomed them back with lights all over with joy and pride, as the time by then has been 14 years since Rama was sent on an exile to the forests by his father on the very day slotted for his Crowning ceremony, which was opposed by Queen Kykai , his step mother, who wanted the kingdom to be given to her son Bharath.

Then came the Dwapara Yuga during which two happenings took place,one was the return of Pandavas' after their exile forced by Kauravas, from the forests, the people rejoiced and welcomed them with lights, the second was the killing of Narakasura a demon, who was killed by Sri Krishna on the same day.

So, as one can see, there are a lot of good happenings on Deewali/Deepawali day hence,the celebration throughout India as we still believes that good happenings will come yet again on this most auspicious day,when the good will prevail over bad in other words the light of knowledge will remove the darkness of ignorance and insanity.

There is a saying in Tamil "Arive than Dievam" which means the absolute knowledge itself is god.

Kautilya's Arthashastra, A must read for management studies/mantras.

Kautilya's Arthashastra
Book I: Concerning Discipline
Translated by R. Shamasastry

Contents:
The end of Sciences; association with the aged; restraint of the organs of sense; the creation of ministers; the creation of councillors and priests; ascertaining by temptations purity or impurity in the character of ministers; the institution of spies. Protection of parties for or against one's own cause in one's own state; winning over the factions for or against an enemy's cause in an enemy's state; the business of council meeting; the mission of envoys; protection of princes; the conduct of a prince kept under restraint; treatment of a prince kept under restraint; the duties of a king; duty towards the harem; personal safety.

ANVIKSHAKI, the triple Védas (Trayi), Várta (agriculture, cattle-breeding and trade), and Danda-Niti (science of government) are what are called the four sciences.

The school of Manu (Manava) hold that there are only three sciences: the triple Vedas, Varta and the science of government, inasmuch as the science of Anvikshaki is nothing but a special branch of the Vedas.

The school of Brihaspati say that there are only two sciences: Varta and the science of government, inasmuch as the Triple Vedas are merely an abridgment (Samvarana, pretext?) for a man experienced in affairs temporal (Lokayatravidah).

The school of Usanas declare that there is only one science, and that the science of government; for, they say, it is in that science that all other sciences have their origin and end.

But Kautilya holds that four and only four are the sciences; wherefore it is from these sciences that all that concerns righteousness and wealth is learnt, therefore they are so called.

Anvikshaki comprises the Philosophy of Sankhya, Yoga, and Lokayata.

Righteous and unrighteous acts (Dharmadharmau) are learnt from the triple Vedas; wealth and non-wealth from Varta; the expedient and the inexpedient (Nayanayau), as well as potency and impotency (Balabale) from the science of government.

When seen in the light of these sciences, the science of Anvikshaki is most beneficial to the world, keeps the mind steady and firm in weal and woe alike, and bestows excellence of foresight, speech and action.

Light to all kinds of knowledge, easy means to accomplish all kinds of acts and receptacle of all kinds of virtues, is the Science of Anvikshaki ever held to be.

[Thus ends Chapter II, "Determination of the place of Anvikshaki" among Sciences in Book I, "Concerning Discipline" of the Arthasástra of Kautilya.]



CHAPTER III. THE END OF SCIENCES.

Determination of the place of the Triple Vedas.

THE three Vedas, Sama, Rik and Yajus, constitute the triple Vedas. These together with Atharvaveda and the Itihasaveda are (known as) the Vedas.

Siksha (Phonetics), Kalpa (ceremonial injunctions), Vyakarana (grammar), Nirukta (glossarial explanation of obscure Vedic terms), Chandas (Prosody), and Astronomy form the Angas.

As the triple Vedas definitely determine the respective duties of the four castes and of the four orders of religious life, they are the most useful.

The duty of the Brahman is study, teaching, performance of sacrifice, officiating in others' sacrificial performance and the giving and receiving of gifts.

That of a Kshatriya is study, performance of sacrifice, giving gifts, military occupation, and protection of life.

That of a Vaisya is study, performance of sacrifice, giving gifts, agriculture, cattle breeding, and trade.

That of a Sudra is the serving of twice-born (dvijati), agriculture, cattle-breeding, and trade (varta), the profession of artizans and court-bards (karukusilavakarma).

The duty of a householder is earning livelihood by his own profession, marriage among his equals of different ancestral Rishis, intercourse with his wedded wife after her monthly ablution, gifts to gods, ancestors, guests, and servants, and the eating of the remainder.

That of a student (Brahmacharin) is learning the Vedas, fire-worship, ablution, living by begging, and devotion to his teacher even at the cost of his own life, or in the absence of his teacher, to the teacher's son, or to an elder classmate.

That of a Vanaprastha (forest-recluse) is observance of chastity, sleeping on the bare ground, keeping twisted locks, wearing deer-skin, fire-worship, ablution, worship of gods, ancestors, and guests, and living upon food stuffs procurable in forests.

That of an ascetic retired from the world (Parivrajaka) is complete control of the organs of sense, abstaining from all kinds of work, disowning money, keeping from society, begging in many places, dwelling in forests, and purity both internal and external.

Harmlessness, truthfulness, purity, freedom from spite, abstinence from cruelty, and forgiveness are duties common to all.

The observance of one's own duty leads one to Svarga and infinite bliss (Anantya). When it is violated, the world will come to an end owing to confusion of castes and duties.

Hence the king shall never allow people to swerve from their duties; for whoever upholds his own duty, ever adhering to the customs of the Aryas, and following the rules of caste and divisions of religious life, will surely. be happy both here and hereafter. For the world, when maintained in accordance with injunctions of the triple Vedas, will surely progress, but never perish.

[Thus ends Chapter III, "Determination of the place of the Triple Vedas" among Sciences in Book I, "Concerning Discipline" of the Arthasástra of Kautilya.]



CHAPTER IV. THE END OF SCIENCES.

Varta and Dandaniti.
AGRICULTURE, cattle-breeding and trade constitute Varta. It is most useful in that it brings in grains, cattle, gold, forest produce (kupya), and free labour (vishti). It is by means of the treasury and the army obtained solely through Varta that the king can hold under his control both his and his enemy's party.

That sceptre on which the well-being and progress of the sciences of Anvikshaki, the triple Vedas, and Varta depend is known as Danda (punishment). That which treats of Danda is the law of punishment or science of government (dandaniti).

It is a means to make acquisitions, to keep them secure, to improve them, and to distribute among the deserved the profits of. improvement. It is on this science of government that the course of the progress of the world depends.

"Hence," says my teacher, "whoever is desirous of the progress of the world shall ever hold the sceptre raised (udyatadanda). Never can there be a better instrument than the sceptre to bring people under control."

"No," says Kautilya; for whoever imposes severe punishment becomes repulsive to the people; while he who awards mild punishment becomes contemptible. But whoever imposes punishment as deserved becomes respectable. For punishment (danda) when awarded with due consideration, makes the people devoted to righteousness and to works productive of wealth and enjoyment; while punishment, when ill-awarded under the influence of greed and anger or owing to ignorance, excites fury even among hermits and ascetics dwelling in forests, not to speak of householders.

But when the law of punishment is kept in abeyance, it gives rise to such disorder as is implied in the proverb of fishes (matsyanyayamudbhavayati); for in the absence of a magistrate (dandadharabhave), the strong will swallow the weak; but under his protection, the weak resist the strong.

This people (loka) consisting of four castes and four orders of religious life, when governed by the king with his sceptre, will keep to their respective paths, ever devotedly adhering to their respective duties and occupations.

[Thus ends Chapter IV, "Determination of the Place of Varta and of Dandaniti" among Sciences in Book I, "Concerning Discipline" of the Arthasástra of Kautilya. "The End of Sciences" is completed.]



CHAPTER V. ASSOCIATION WITH THE AGED.

HENCE the (first) three sciences (out of the four) are dependent for their well-being on the science of government. Danda, punishment, which alone can procure safety and security of life is, in its turn, dependent on discipline (vinaya).

Discipline is of two kinds: artificial and natural; for instruction (kriya) can render only a docile being conformable to the rules of discipline, and not an undocile being (adravyam). The study of sciences can tame only those who are possessed of such mental faculties as obedience, hearing, grasping, retentive memory, discrimination, inference, and deliberation, but not others devoid of such faculties.

Sciences shall be studied and their precepts strictly observed under the authority of specialist teachers.

Having undergone the ceremony of tonsure, the student shall learn the alphabet (lipi) and arithmetic. After investiture with sacred thread, he shall study the triple Vedas, the science of Anvikshaki under teachers of acknowledged authority (sishta), the science of Vatra under government superintendents, and the science of Dandaniti under theoretical and practical politicians (vaktriprayoktribhyah).

He (the prince) shall observe celibacy till he becomes sixteen years old. Then he shall observe the ceremony of tonsure (godana) and marry.

In view of maintaining efficient discipline, he shall ever and invariably keep company with aged professors of sciences in whom alone discipline has its firm root.

He shall spend the forenoon in receiving lessons in military arts concerning elephants, horses, chariots, and weapons, and the afternoon in hearing the Itihasa.

Purana, Itivritta (history), Akhyayika (tales), Udaharana (illustrative stories), Dharmasastra, and Arthasastra are (known by the name) Itihasa.

During the rest of the day and night, he shall not only receive new lessons and revise old lessons, but also hear over and again what has not been clearly understood.

For from hearing (sutra) ensues knowledge; from knowledge steady application (yoga) is possible; and from application self-possession (atmavatta) is possible. This is what is meant by efficiency of learning (vidhyasamarthyam).

The king who is well educated and disciplined in sciences, devoted to good Government of his subjects, and bent on doing good to all people will enjoy the earth unopposed.

[Thus ends Chapter V, "Association with the Aged" in Book I, "Concerning Discipline" of the Arthasástra of Kautilya.]

CHAPTER VI. RESTRAINT OF THE ORGANS OF SENSE.

The Shaking off of the Aggregate of the Six Enemies.

RESTRAINT of the organs of sense, on which success in study and discipline depends can be enforced by abandoning lust, anger, greed, vanity (mána), haughtiness (mada), and overjoy (harsha).

Absence of discrepancy (avipratipatti) in the perception of sound, touch, colour, flavour, and scent by means of the ear, the skin, the eyes, the tongue, and the nose, is what is meant by the restraint of the organs of sense. Strict observance of the precepts of sciences also means the same; for the sole aim of all the sciences is nothing but restraint of the organs of sense.

Whosoever is of reverse character, whoever has not his organs of sense under his control, will soon perish, though possessed of the whole earth bounded by the four quarters.

For example: Bhoja, known also by the name, Dándakya, making a lascivious attempt on a Bráhman maiden, perished along with his kingdom and relations;

So also Karála, the Vaideha. Likewise Janamejaya under the influence of anger against Bráhmans, as well as Tálajangha against the family of Bhrigus.

Aila in his attempt under the influence of greed to make exactions from Bráhmans, as well as Ajabindu, the Sauvíra (in a similar attempt);

Rávana unwilling under the influence of vanity to restore a stranger's wife, as well as Duryodhana to part with a portion of his kingdom; Dambhodbhava as well as Arjuna of Haihaya dynasty being so haughty as to despise all people;

Vátápi in his attempt under the influence of overjoy to attack Agastya, as well as the corporation of the Vrishnis in their attempt against Dvaipáyana.

Thus these and other several kings, falling a prey to the aggregate of the six enemies and having failed to restrain their organs of sense, perished together with their kingdom and relations. Having driven out the aggregate of the six enemies, as well as Ambarísha of Jámadagnya famous for his restraint of the organs of sense Nábhága long enjoyed the earth.

[Thus ends Chapter VI, "The Shaking off of the Aggregate of the Six Enemies" in the section of the "Restraint Of the Organs of Sense" in Book I, "Concerning Discipline" of the Arthasástra of Kautilya.]

CHAPTER VII. RESTRAINT OF THE ORGANS OF SENSE.

The Life of a Saintly King.

HENCE by overthrowing the aggregate of the six enemies, he shall restrain the organs of sense; acquire wisdom by keeping company with the aged; see through his spies; establish safety and security by being ever active; maintain his subjects in the observance of their respective duties by exercising authority; keep up his personal discipline by receiving lessons in the sciences; and endear himself to the people by bringing them in contact with wealth and doing good to them.

Thus with his organs of sense under his control, he shall keep away from hurting the women and property of others; avoid not only lustfulness, even in dream, but also falsehood, haughtiness, and evil proclivities; and keep away from unrighteous and uneconomical transactions.

Not violating righteousness and economy, he shall enjoy his desires. He shall never be devoid of happiness. He may enjoy in an equal degree the three pursuits of life, charity, wealth, and desire, which are inter-dependent upon each other. Any one of these three, when enjoyed to an excess, hurts not only the other two, but also itself.

Kautilya holds that wealth and wealth alone is important, inasmuch as charity and desire depend upon wealth for their realisation.

Those teachers and ministers who keep him from falling a prey to dangers, and who, by striking the hours of the day as determined by measuring shadows (chháyánálikápratodena) warn him of his careless proceedings even in secret shall invariably be respected.

Sovereignty (rájatva) is possible only with assistance. A single wheel can never move. Hence he shall employ ministers and hear their opinion.

[Thus ends Chapter VII, “The Life of a Saintly King” in the section of the “Restraint of the Organs of Sense,” in Book I, “Concerning Discipline” of the Arthasástra of Kautilya; “Restraint of the Organs of Sense" is completed.]

CHAPTER VIII. CREATION OF MINISTERS.

"THE King," says Bháradvája, "shall employ his classmates as his ministers; for they can be trusted by him inasmuch as he has personal knowledge of their honesty and capacity."

“No,” says Visáláksha, "for, as they have been his playmates as well, they would despise him. But he shall employ as ministers those whose secrets, possessed of in common, are well known to him. Possessed of habits and defects in common. with the king, they would never hurt him lest he would betray their secrets."

“Common is this fear,” says Parásara, “for under the fear of betrayal of his own secrets, the king may also follow them in their good and bad acts.

"Under the control of as many persons as are made aware by the king of his own secrets, might he place himself in all humility by that disclosure. Hence he shall employ as ministers those who have proved faithful to him under difficulties fatal to life and are of tried devotion."

"No,” says Pisuna, “for this is devotion, but not intelligence (buddhigunah). He shall appoint as ministers those who, when employed as financial matters, show as much as, or more than, the fixed revenue, and are thus of tried ability.”

"No," says Kaunapadanta, "for such persons are devoid of other ministerial qualifications; he shall, therefore, employ as ministers those whose fathers and grandfathers had been ministers before; such persons, in virtue of their knowledge of past events and of an established relationship with the king, will, though offended, never desert him; for such faithfulness is seen even among dumb animals; cows, for example, stand aside from strange cows and ever keep company with accustomed herds."

"No," says Vátavyádhi, "for such persons, having acquired complete dominion over the king, begin to play themselves as the king. Hence he shall employ as ministers such new persons as are proficient in the science of polity. It is such new persons who will regard the king as the real sceptre-bearer (dandadhara) and dare not offend him."

"No," says the son of Báhudantí (a woman); "for a man possessed of only theoretical knowledge and having no experience of practical politics is likely to commit serious blunders when engaged in actual works. Hence he shall employ as ministers such as are born of high family and possessed of wisdom, purity of purpose, bravery and loyal feelings inasmuch as ministerial appointments shall purely depend on qualifications."

"This," says Kautilya, "is satisfactory in all respects; for a man's ability is inferred from his capacity shown in work. And in accordance in difference in the working capacity,

Having divided the spheres of their powers and having definitely taken into consideration the place and time where and when they have to work, such persons shall be employed not as councillors (mantrinah) but as ministerial officers (amátyah).

[Thus ends Chapter VIII, “Creation of Ministers” in Book I, “Concerning Discipline” of the Arthasástra of Kautilya.]

CHAPTER IX. THE CREATION OF COUNCILLORS AND PRIESTS.

NATIVE, born of high family, influential, well trained in arts, possessed of foresight, wise, of strong memory, bold, eloquent, skillful, intelligent, possessed of enthusiasm, dignity, and endurance, pure in character, affable, firm in loyal devotion, endowed with excellent conduct, strength, health and bravery, free from procrastination and ficklemindedness, affectionate, and free from such qualities as excite hatred and enmity--these are the qualifications of a ministerial officer (amátyasampat).

Such as are possessed of one-half or one-quarter of the above qualifications come under middle and low ranks.

Of these qualifications, native birth and influential position shall be ascertained from reliable persons; educational qualifications (silpa) from professors of equal learning; theoretical and practical knowledge, foresight, retentive memory, and affability shall be tested from successful, application in works; eloquence, skillfulness and flashing intelligence from power shown in narrating stories (katháyogeshu, i.e., in conversation); endurance, enthusiasm, and bravery in troubles; purity of life, friendly disposition, and loyal devotion by frequent association; conduct, strength, health, dignity, and freedom from indolence and ficklemindedness shall be ascertained from their intimate friends; and affectionate and philanthrophic nature by personal experience.

The works of a king may be visible, invisible (paroksha) and inferential.

That which he sees is visible; and that which he is taught by another is invisible; and inference of the nature of what is not accomplished from what is accomplished is inferential..

As works do not happen to be simultaneous, are various in form, and pertain to distant and different localities, the king shall, in view of being abreast of time and place, depute his ministers to carry them out. Such is the work of ministers.

Him whose family and character are highly spoken of, who is well educated in the Vedás and the six Angas, is skillful in reading portents providential or accidental, is well versed in the science of government, and who is obedient and who can prevent calamities providential or human by performing such expiatory rites as are prescribed in the Atharvaveda, the king shall employ as high priest. As a student his teacher, a son his father, and a servant his master, the king shall follow him.

That Kshatriya breed which is brought up by Bráhmans, is charmed with the counsels of good councillors, and which faithfully follows the precepts of the sástras becomes invincible and attains success though unaided with weapons.

[Thus ends Chapter IX, “Creation of Councillors and Priests” in Book I “Concerning Discipline” of the Arthasástra of Kautilya.]


CHAPTER X. ASCERTAINING BY TEMPTATIONS PURITY OR IMPURITY IN THE CHARACTER OF MINISTERS.

ASSISTED by his prime minister (mantri) and his high priest, the king shall, by offering temptations, examine the character of ministers (amátya) appointed in government departments of ordinary nature.

The king shall dismiss a priest who, when ordered, refuses to teach the Vedás to an outcaste person or to officiate in a sacrificial performance (apparently) undertaken by an outcaste person (ayájya).

Then the dismissed priest shall, through the medium of spies under the guise of class-mates (satri), instigate each minister one after another, saying on oath "this king is unrighteous; well let us set up in his place another king who is righteous, or who is born of the same family as of this king, or who is kept imprisoned, or a neighbouring king of his family and of self-sufficiency (ekapragraha), or a wild chief (atavika), or an upstart (aupapádika); this attempt is to the liking of all of us; what dost thou think ?"

If any one or all of the ministers refuse to acquiesce in such a measure, he or they shall be considered pure. This is what is called religious allurement.

A commander of the army, dismissed from service for receiving condemnable things (asatpragraha) may, through the agency of spies under the guise of class-mates (satri), incite each minister to murder the king in view of acquiring immense wealth, each minister being asked "this attempt is to the liking of all of us; what dost thou think?"

If they refuse to agree, they are to be considered pure. This is what is termed monetary allurement.

A woman-spy under the guise of an ascetic and highly esteemed in the harem of the king may allure each prime minister (mahámátra) one after another, saying "the queen is enamoured of thee and has made arrangements for thy entrance into her chamber; besides this, there is also the certainty of large acquisitions of wealth."

If they discard the proposal, they are pure. This is what is styled love-allurement.

With the intention of sailing on a commercial vessel (prahavananimittam), a minister may induce all other ministers to follow him. Apprehensive of danger, the king may arrest them all. A spy under the guise of a fraudulent disciple, pretending to have suffered imprisonment may incite each of the ministers thus deprived of wealth and rank, saying, "the king has betaken himself to an unwise course; well, having murdered him, let us put another in his stead. We all like this; what dost thou think?"

If they refuse to agree, they are pure. This is what is termed allurement under fear.

Of these tried ministers, those whose character has been tested under religious allurements shall be employed in civil and criminal courts (dharmasthaníyakantaka sodhaneshu); those whose purity has been tested under monetary allurements shall be employed in the work of a revenue collector and chamberlain; those who have been tried under love-allurements shall be appointed to superintend the pleasure-grounds (vihára) both external and internal; those who have been tested by allurements under fear shall be appointed to immediate service; and those whose character has been tested under all kinds of allurements shall be employed as prime ministers (mantrinah), while those who are proved impure under one or all of these allurements shall be appointed in mines, timber and elephant forests, and manufactories.

Teachers have decided that in accordance with ascertained purity, the king shall employ in corresponding works those ministers whose character has been tested under the three pursuits of life, religion, wealth and love, and under fear.

Never, in the view of Kautilya, shall the king make himself or his queen an object (laksham, butt) of testing the character of his councillors, nor shall he vitiate the pure like water with poison.

Sometimes the prescribed medicine may fail to reach the person of moral disease; the mind of the valiant, though naturally kept steadfast, may not, when once vitiated and repelled under the four kinds of allurements, return to and recover its original form.

Hence having set up an external object as the butt for all the four kinds of allurements, the king shall, through the agency of spies (satri), find out the pure or impure character of his ministers (amátya).

[Thus ends Chapter X, “Ascertaining by Temptations Purity or Impurity in the Character of Ministers,” in Book I, “Concerning Discipline” of the Arthasástra of Kautilya.]

CHAPTER XI. THE INSTITUTION OF SPIES.

ASSISTED by the council of his ministers tried under espionage, the king shall proceed to create spies: --Spies under the guise of a fraudulent disciple (kápatika-chhátra), a recluse (udásthita), a householder (grihapaitika), a merchant (vaidehaka), an ascetic practising austerities (tápasa), a class-mate or a colleague (satri), a fire-brand (tíkshna), a poisoner (rasada), and a mendicant woman (bhikshuki).

A skillful person capable of guessing the mind of others is a fraudulent disciple. Having encouraged such a spy with honour and money rewards, the minister shall tell him, "sworn to the king and myself, thou shalt inform us of whatever wickedness thou findest in others."

One who is initiated in asceticism and is possessed of foresight and pure character is a recluse. This spy, provided with much money and many disciples, shall carry on agriculture, cattle-rearing, and trade (vártakarma) on the lands allotted to him for the purpose. Out of the produce and profits thus acquired, he shall provide all ascetics with subsistence, clothing and lodging, and send on espionage such among those under his protection as are desirous to earn a livelihood (vrittikáma), ordering each of them to detect a particular kind of crime committed in connection with the king's wealth and to report of it when they come to receive their subsistence and wages. All the ascetics (under the recluse) shall severally send their followers on similar errands.

A cultivator, fallen from his profession, but possessed of foresight and pure character is termed a householder spy. This spy shall carry on the cultivation of lands allotted to him for the purpose, and maintain cultivators, etc.--as before.

A trader, fallen from his profession, but possessed of foresight and pure character, is a merchant spy. This spy shall carry on the manufacture of merchandise on lands allotted to him for the purpose, etc.,--as before.

A man with shaved head (munda) or braided hair (jatila) and desirous to earn livelihood is a spy under the guise of an ascetic practising austerities. Such a spy surrounded by a host of disciples with shaved head or braided hair may take his abode in the suburbs of a city, and pretend as a person barely living on a handful of vegetables or meadow grass (yavasamushti) taken once in the interval of a month or two, but he may take in secret his favourite food-stuffs (gúdhamishtamáháram).

Merchant spies pretending to be his disciples may worship him as one possessed of preternatural powers. His other disciples may widely proclaim that "this ascetic is an accomplished expert of preternatural powers."

Regarding those persons who, desirous of knowing their future, throng to him, he may, through palmistry, foretell such future events as he can ascertain by the nods and signs of his disciples (angavidyayá sishyasanjnábhischa) concerning the works of high-born people of the country,-- viz., small profits, destruction by fire, fear from robbers, the execution of the seditious, rewards for the good, forecast of foreign affairs (videsa pravrittivijnánam), saying, “this will happen to-day, that to-morrow, and that this king will do.” Such assertions of the ascetic his disciples shall corroborate (by adducing facts and figures).

He shall also foretell not only the rewards which persons possessed of foresight, eloquence, and bravery are likely to receive at the hands of the king, but also probable changes in the appointments of ministers.

The king's minister shall direct his affairs in conformity to the forecast made by the ascetic. He shall appease with offer of wealth and honour those who have had some well known cause to be disaffected, and impose punishments in secret on those who are for no reason disaffected or who are plotting against the king.

Honoured by the king with awards of money and titles, these five institutes of espionage (samstháh) shall ascertain the purity of character of the king's servants.

[Thus ends Chapter XI, "The Institution of Spies" in Book I, “Concerning Discipline” of the Arthasástra of Kautilya.]

CHAPTER XII. INSTITUTION OF SPIES.

Creation of Wandering Spies.

THOSE orphans (asambandhinah) who are to be necessarily fed by the state and are put to study science, palmistry (angavidya), sorcery (máyágata), the duties of the various orders of religious life, legerdemain (jambhakavidya), and the reading of omens and augury (antara-chakra), are classmate spies or spies learning by social intercourse (samsargavidyasatrinah).

Such brave desperados of the country who, reckless of their own life, confront elephants or tigers in fight mainly for the purpose of earning money are termed fire-brands or fiery spies (tíkshna).

Those who have no trace of filial affection left in them and who are very cruel and indolent are poisoners (rasada).

A poor widow of Bráhman caste, very clever, and desirous to earn her livelihood is a woman ascetic (parivrájiká). Honoured in the king's harem, such a woman shall frequent the residences of the king's prime ministers (mahámátrakuláni).

The same rule shall apply to women with shaved head (munda), as well as to those of súdra caste. All these are wandering spies (sancháráh).

Of these spies, those who are of good family, loyal, reliable, well-trained in the art of putting on disguises appropriate to countries and trades, and possessed of knowledge of many languages and arts shall be sent by the king to espy in his own country the movements of his ministers, priests, commanders of the army, the heir-apparent, the door-keepers, the officer in charge of the harem, the magistrate (prasástri), the collector-general (samáhartri), the chamberlain (sannidhátri), the commissioner (pradeshtri), the city constable (náyaka), the officer in charge of the city (paura), the superintendent of transactions (vyávahárika), the superintendent of manufactories (karmántika), the assembly of councillors (mantriparishad), heads of departments (adhyaksháh), the commissary-general (dandapála), and officers in charge of fortifications, boundaries, and wild tracts.

Fiery spies, such as are employed to hold the royal umbrella, vase, fan, and shoes, or to attend at the throne, chariot, and conveyance shall espy the public character (báhyam cháram) of these (officers).

Classmate spies shall convey this information (i.e., that gathered by the fiery spies) to the institutes of espionage (samsthásvarpayeyuh).

Poisoners such as a sauce-maker (súda), a cook (arálika), procurer of water for bathing (snápaka) shampooer, the spreader of bed (ástaraka), a barber (kalpaka), toilet-maker (prasádaka), a water-servant; servants such as have taken the appearance of a hump-backed person, a dwarf, a pigmy (kiráta), the dumb, the deaf, the idiot, the blind; artisans such as actors, dancers, singers, players on musical instruments, buffoons, and a bard; as well as women shall espy the private character of these officers.

A mendicant woman shall convey this information to the institute of espionage.

The immediate officers of the institutes of espionage (samsthánámantevásinah) shall by making use of signs or writing (samjnálipibhih) set their own spies in motion (to ascertain the validity of the information).

Neither the institutes of espionage nor they (the wandering spies) shall know each other.

If a mendicant woman is stopped at the entrance, the line of door-keepers., spies under the guise of father and mother (mátápitri vyanjanáh), women artisans, court-bards, or prostitutes shall, under the pretext of taking in musical instruments, or through cipher-writing (gudhalekhya), or by means of signs, convey the information to its destined place (cháram nirhareyuh.)

(Spies of the institutes of espionage) may suddenly go out under the pretext of long standing disease, or lunacy, or by setting fire (to something) or by administering poison (to some one).

When the information thus received from these three different sources is exactly of the same version, it shall be held reliable. If they (the three sources) frequently differ, the spies concerned shall either be punished in secret or dismissed.

Those spies who are referred to in Book IV, "Removal of Thorns," shall receive their salaries from those kings (para, i.e., foreign) with whom they live as servants; but when they aid both the states in the work of catching hold of robbers, they shall become recipients of salaries from both the states (ubhayavetanáh).

Those whose sons and wives are kept (as hostages) shall be made recipients of salaries from two states and considered as under the mission of enemies. Purity of character of such persons shall be ascertained through persons of similar profession.

Thus with regard to kings who are inimical, friendly, intermediate, of low rank, or neutral, and with regard to their eighteen government departments (ashtáldasa-tírtha), spies shall be set in motion.

The hump-backed, the dwarf, the eunuch, women of accomplishments, the dumb, and various grades of Mlechcha caste shall be spies inside their houses.

Merchant spies inside forts; saints and ascetics in the suburbs of forts; the cultivator and the recluse in country parts; herdsmen in the boundaries of the country; in forests, forest-dwellers, sramanás, and chiefs of wild tribes, shall be stationed to ascertain the movements of enemies. All these spies shall be very quick in the dispatch of their work.

Spies set up by foreign kings shall also be found out by local spies; spies by spies of like profession. It is the institutes of espionage, secret or avowed, that set spies in motion.

Those chiefs whose inimical design has been found out by spies supporting the king's cause shall, in view of affording opportunity to detect the spies of foreign kings, be made to live on the boundaries of the state.

[Thus ends Chapter XII, “Creation of Wandering Spies” in the section of “The Institution of Spies,” in Book I. “Concerning Discipline” of the Arthasástra of Kautilya.]

CHAPTER XIII. PROTECTION OF PARTIES FOR OR AGAINST ONE'S OWN CAUSE IN ONE'S OWN STATE.

HAVING set up spies over his prime ministers (mahámátra), the king shall proceed to espy both citizens and country people.

Classmate spies (satri) formed as opposing factions shall carry on disputations in places of pilgrimage (tírtha), in assemblies, houses, corporations (púga), and amid congregations of people. One spy may say:--

"This king is said to be endowed with all desirable qualities; he seems to be a stranger to such tendencies as would lead him to oppress citizens and country people by levying heavy fines and taxes."

Against those who seem to commend this opinion, another spy may interrupt the speaker and say:--

"People suffering from anarchy as illustrated by the proverbial tendency of a large fish swallowing a small one (mátsyanyáyábhibhútah prajáh), first elected Manu, the Vaivasvata, to be their king; and allotted one-sixth of the grains grown and one-tenth of merchandise as sovereign dues. Fed by this payment, kings took upon themselves the responsibility of maintaining the safety and security of their subjects (yogakshemavaháh), and of being answerable for the sins of their subjects when the principle of levying just punishments and taxes has been violated. Hence hermits, too, provide the king with one- sixth of the grains gleaned by them, thinking that ‘it is a tax payable to him who protects us.’ It is the king in whom the duties of both Indra (the rewarder) and Yama (the punisher) are blended, and he is a visible dispenser of punishments and rewards (heda-prasáda); whoever disregards kings will be visited with divine punishments, too. Hence kings shall never be despised."

Thus treacherous opponents of sovereignty shall be silenced.

Spies shall also know the rumours prevalent in the state. Spies with shaved heads or braided hair shall ascertain whether there prevails content or discontent among those who live upon the grains, cattle, and gold of the king, among those who supply the same (to the king) in weal or woe, those who keep under restraint a disaffected relative of the king or a rebellious district, as well as those who drive away an invading enemy or a wild tribe. The greater the contentment of such persons, the more shall be the honour shown to them; while those who are disaffected shall be ingratiated by rewards or conciliation; or dissension may be sown among them so that they may alienate themselves from each other, from a neighbouring enemy, from a wild tribe, or from a banished or imprisoned prince. Failing this measure, they may be so employed in collecting fines and taxes as to incur the displeasure of the people. Those who are inebriated with feelings of enmity may be put down by punishment in secret or by making them incur the displeasure of the whole country. Or having taken the sons and wives of such treacherous persons under State protection, they may be made to live in mines, lest they may afford shelter to enemies.

Those that are angry, those that are greedy, those that are alarmed, as well as those that despise the king are the instruments of enemies. Spies under the guise of astrologers and tellers of omens and augury shall ascertain the relationship of such persons with each other and with foreign kings.

Honours and rewards shall be conferred upon those that are contented, while those that are disaffected shall be brought round by conciliation, by gifts, or by sowing dissension, or by punishment.

Thus in his own state a wise king shall guard factions among his people, friendly or hostile, powerful or powerless against the intrigue of foreign kings.

[Thus ends Chapter XIII, “Protection of Parties for or against One's Own Cause in One's Own State,” in Book I, “Concerning Discipline” of the Arthasástra of Kautilya.]

CHAPTER XIV. WINNING OVER FACTIONS FOR OR AGAINST AN ENEMY'S CAUSE IN AN ENEMY'S STATE.

PROTECTION of parties for or against one's own cause in one's own state has been dealt with. Similar measures in connection with parties in a foreign state are to be treated of.

Those who are deluded with false promise of large rewards; those of whom one party, though equally skillful as another party in artistic work or in turning out productive or beneficial works, is slighted by bestowing larger rewards on its rival party; those who are harassed by courtiers (Vallabhá-varuddháh); those who are invited to be slighted; those who are harassed by banishment; those who in spite of their large outlay of money have failed in their undertakings; those who are prevented from the exercise of their rights or from taking possession of their inheritance; those who have fallen from their rank and honours in government service; those who are shoved to the corner by their own kinsmen; those whose women are violently assaulted; those who are thrown in jail; those who are punished in secret; those who are warned of their misdeeds; those whose property has been wholly confiscated; those who have long suffered from imprisonment; those whose relatives are banished---all these come under the group of provoked persons.

He who has fallen a victim to misfortune by his own misdeeds; he who is offended (by the king); he whose sinful deeds are brought to light; he who is alarmed at the award of punishment on a man of like guilt; he whose lands have been confiscated; he whose rebellious spirit is put down by coercive measures; he who, as a superintendent of all government departments, has suddenly amassed a large amount of wealth; he who, as a relative of such a rich man aspires to inherit his wealth; he who is disliked by the king; and he who hates the king,--all these come under the group of persons alarmed.

He who is impoverished; he who has lost much wealth; he who is niggardly; he who is addicted to evil propensities; and he who is engaged in dangerous transactions,---all these constitute the group of ambitious persons.

He who is self-sufficient; he who is fond of honours; he who is intolerant of his rival's honour; he who is esteemed low; he who is of a fiery spirit; he who is foolhardy as well as he who is not content with what he has been enjoying,--all these come under the group of haughty persons.

Of these, he who clings to a particular faction shall be so deluded by spies with shaved head or braided hair as to believe that he is intriguing with that party. Partisans under provocation, for example, may be won over by telling that ‘just as an elephant in rut and mounted over by a driver under intoxication tramples under its foot whatever it comes across, so this king, dispossessed of the eye of science, blindly attempts to oppress both citizens and country people; it is possible to restrain him by setting up a rival elephant against him; so have forbearance enough (to wait).’

Likewise alarmed persons may be won over by telling that ‘just as a hidden snake bites and emits poison over whatever alarms it, so this king apprehensive of danger from thee will ere long emit the poison of his resentment on thee; so thou mayest better go elsewhere.’

Similarly ambitious persons may be won over by telling that ‘just as a cow reared by dog-keepers gives milk to dogs, but not to Bráhmans, so this king gives milk (rewards) to those who are devoid of valour, foresight, eloquence and bravery, but not to those who are possessed of noble character; so the other king who is possessed of power to discriminate men from men may be courted.’

In like manner haughty persons may be won over by telling that ‘just as a reservoir of water belonging to Chándálas is serviceable only to Chándálas, but not to others, so this king of low-birth confers his patronage only on low-born people, but not on Aryas like thee; so the other king who is possessed of power to distinguish between men and men may be courted.’

All these disaffected persons, when acquiescing to the above proposals, may be made under a solumn compact (panakarmaná) to form a combination together with the spies to achieve their end.

Likewise friends of a foreign king may also be won over by means of persuation and rewards, while implacable enemies may be brought round by sowing dissensions, by threats, and by pointing out the defects of their master.

[Thus ends Chapter XIV, "Winning over Factions for or against an Enemy's Cause in an Enemy’s State," in Book I, "Concerning Discipline" of the Arthasástra of Kautilya.]


CHAPTER XV. THE BUSINESS OF COUNCIL MEETING.

HAVING gained a firm hold on the affection of both local and foreign parties both in his own and enemy's state, the king shall proceed to think of administrative measures.

All kinds of administrative measures are preceded by deliberations in a well-formed council. The subject matter of a council shall be entirely secret and deliberations in it shall be so carried that even birds cannot see them; for it is said that the secrecy of counsels was divulged by parrots, minas, dogs and other low creatures of mean birth. Hence without providing himself with sufficient safeguard against disclosure, he shall never enter into deliberations in a council.

Whoever discloses counsels shall be torn to pieces. The disclosure of counsels may be detected by observing changes in the attitude and countenance of envoys, ministers, and masters. Change in conduct is change in attitude (ingitamanyathávrittih); and observation of physical appearance is countenance (ákritigrahanamákárah).

Maintenance of the secrecy of a council-matter, and keeping guard over officers that have taken part in the deliberation over it (shall be strictly observed) till the time of starting the work so considered approaches.

Carelessness, intoxication, talking in sleep, love and other evil habits of councillors are the causes of the betrayal of counsels.

Whoever is of hidden nature or is disregarded will disclose counsels. Hence steps shall be taken to safeguard counsels against such dangers. Disclosure of counsels is advantageous to persons other than the king and his officers.

"Hence," says Bháradvája, "the king shall singly deliberate over secret matters; for ministers have their own ministers, and these latter some of their own; this kind of successive line of ministers tends to the disclosure of counsels.

"Hence no outside person shall know anything of the work which the king has in view. Only those who are employed to carry it out shall know it either when it is begun or when accomplished."

“No deliberation,” says Visáláksha, “made by a single person will be successful; the nature of the work which a sovereign has to do is to be inferred from the consideration of both the visible and invisible causes. The perception of what is not or cannot be seen, the conclusive decision of whatever is seen, the clearance of doubts as to whatever is susceptible of two opinions, and the inference of the whole when only a part is seen--all this is possible of decision only by ministers. Hence he shall sit at deliberation with persons of wide intellect.

He shall despise none, but hear the opinions of all. A wise man shall make use of even a child's sensible utterance.

"This is," says Parásara "ascertaining the opinions of others, but not keeping counsels. He shall ask his ministers for their opinion, on a work similar to the one he has in view, telling them that "this is the work; it happened thus; what is to be done if it will turn out thus"; and he shall do as they decide. If it is done thus, both the ascertainment of opinions and maintenance of secrecy can be attained."

“Not so,” says Pisuna, “for ministers, when called for their opinions regarding a distant undertaking, or an accomplished or an unaccomplished work, either approach the subject with indifference or give their opinions half-heartedly. This is a serious defect. Hence he shall consult such persons as are believed to be capable of giving decisive opinion regarding those works about which he seeks for advice. If he consults thus, he can secure good advice as well as secrecy of counsel."

"Not so," says Kautilya, "for this (kind of seeking for advice) is infinite and endless. He shall consult three or four ministers. Consultation with a single (minister) may not lead to any definite conclusion in cases of complicated issues. A single minister proceeds willfully and without restraint. In deliberating with two ministers, the king may be overpowered by their combined action, or imperiled by their mutual dissension. But with three or four ministers he will not come to any serious grief, but will arrive at satisfactory results. With ministers more than four in number, he will have to come to a decision after a good deal of trouble; nor will secrecy of counsel be maintained without much trouble. In accordance with the requirements of place, time, and nature of the work in view, he may, as he deems it proper, deliberate with one or two ministers or by himself.

Means to carry out works, command of plenty of men and wealth, allotment of time and place, remedies against dangers, and final success are the five constituents of every council-deliberation.

The king may ask his ministers for their opinion either individually or collectively, and ascertain their ability by judging over the reasons they assign for their opinions.

He shall lose no time when the opportunity waited for arrives; nor shall he sit long at consultation with those whose parties he intends to hurt.

The school of Manu say that the assembly of ministers (mantriparishad) shall be made to consist of twelve members.

The school of Brihaspathi say that it shall consist of sixteen members.

The school of Usanas say that it shall consist of twenty members.

But Kautilya holds that it shall consist of as many members as the needs of his dominion require (yathásámarthyam).

Those ministers shall have to consider all that concerns the parties of both the king and his enemy. They shall also set themselves to start the work that is not yet begun, to complete what has been begun, to improve what has been accomplished, and to enforce strict obedience to orders (niyogasampadam).

He shall supervise works in company with his officers that are near (ásannaih); and consult by sending writs (patrasampreshanena) those that are (not) near (ásanna).

One thousand sages form Indra's assembly of ministers (mantriparishad). They are his eyes. Hence he is called thousand-eyed though he possesses only two eyes.

In works of emergency, he shall call both his ministers and the assembly of ministers (mantrino mantriparishadam cha), and tell them of the same. He shall do whatever the majority (bhúyishtháh) of the members suggest or whatever course of action leading to success (káryasiddhikaram va) they point out. And while doing any work,

None of his enemies (pare) shall know his secret, but he shall know the weak points of his enemy. Like a tortoise he shall draw in his limbs that are stretched out.

Just as balls of meal offered to ancestors by a person not learned in the Vedas are unfit to be eaten by wise men, so whoever is not well versed in sciences shall be unfit to hear of council deliberations.

[Thus ends Chapter XV, "The Business of Council-meeting" in Book I, “Concerning Discipline” of the Arthasástra of Kautilya.]


CHAPTER XVI. THE MISSION OF ENVOYS.

WHOEVER has succeeded as a councillor is an envoy.

Whoever possesses ministerial qualifications is a chargé-d'affaires (nisrishtárthah).

Whoever possesses the same qualifications less by one-quarter is an agent entrusted with a definite mission (parimitárthah).

Whoever possesses the same qualifications less by one-half is a conveyer of royal writs (sásanaharah).

Having made excellent arrangements for carriage, conveyance, servants and subsistence, he (an envoy) shall start on his mission, thinking that "the enemy shall be told thus: the enemy (para) will say, thus; this shall be the reply to him; and thus he shall be imposed upon."

The envoy shall make friendship with the enemy's officers such as those in charge of wild tracts, of boundaries, of cities, and of country parts. He shall also contrast the military stations, sinews of war, and strong-holds of the enemy with those of his own master. He shall ascertain the size and area of forts and of the state, as well as strongholds of precious things and assailable and unassailable points.

Having obtained permission, he shall enter into the capital of the enemy and state the object of the mission as exactly as entrusted to him even at the cost of his own life.

Brightness in the tone, face, and eyes of the enemy; respectful reception of the mission; enquiry about the health of friends; taking part in the narration of virtues; giving a seat close to the throne; respectful treatment of the envoy; remembrance of friends; closing the mission with satisfaction;--all these shall be noted as indicating the good graces of the enemy and the reverse his displeasure.

A displeased enemy maybe told:--

"Messengers are the mouth-pieces of kings, not only of thyself, but of all; hence messengers who, in the face of weapons raised against them, have to express their mission as exactly as they are entrusted with do not, though outcasts, deserve death; where is then reason to put messengers of Bráhman caste to death? This is another's speech. This (i.e., delivery of that speech verbatim) is the duty of messengers."

Not puffed up with the respects shown to him, he shall stay there till he is allowed to depart. He shall not care for the mightiness of the enemy; shall strictly avoid women and liquor; shall take bed single; for it is well-known that the intentions of envoys are ascertained while they are asleep or under the influence of liquor.

He shall, through the agency of ascetic and merchant spies or through their disciples or through spies under the disguise of physicians, and heretics, or through recipients of salaries from two states (ubhayavétana), ascertain the nature of the intrigue prevalent among parties favourably disposed to his own master, as well as the conspiracy of hostile factions, and understand the loyalty or disloyalty of the people to the enemy besides any assailable points.

If there is no possibility of carrying on any such conversation (conversation with the people regarding their loyalty), he may try to gather such information by observing the talk of beggars, intoxicated and insane persons or of persons babbling in sleep, or by observing the signs made in places of pilgrimage and temples or by deciphering paintings and secret writings (chitra-gúdha-lékhya-samjñá-bhih).

Whatever information he thus gathers he shall try to test by intrigues.

He shall not check the estimate which the enemy makes of the elements of sovereignty of his own master; but he shall only say in reply, ‘All is known to thee.’ Nor shall he disclose the means employed (by his master) to achieve an end in view.

If he has not succeeded in his mission, but is still detained, he shall proceed to infer thus:--

Whether seeing the imminent danger into which my master is likely to fall and desirous of averting his own danger; whether in view of inciting against my master an enemy threatening in the rear or a king whose dominion in the rear is separated by other intervening states; whether in view of causing internal rebellion in my master's state, or of inciting a wild chief (átavika) against my master; whether in view of destroying my master by employing a friend or a king whose dominion stretches out in the rear of my master's state (ákranda); whether with the intention of averting the internal trouble in his own state or of preventing a foreign invasion or the inroads of a wild chief; whether in view of causing the approaching time of my master's expedition to lapse; whether with the desire of collecting raw materials and merchandise, or of repairing his fortifications, or of recruiting a strong army capable to fight; whether waiting for the time and opportunity necessary for the complete training of his own army; or whether in view of making a desirable alliance in order to avert the present contempt brought about by his own carelessness, this king detains me thus?

Then he may stay or get out as he deems it desirable; or he may demand a speedy settlement of his mission.

Or having intimated an unfavourable order (sásana) to the enemy, and pretending apprehension of imprisonment or death, he may return even without permission; otherwise he may be punished.

Transmission of missions, maintenance of treaties, issue of ultimatum (pratápa), gaining of friends, intrigue, sowing dissension among friends, fetching secret force; carrying away by stealth relatives and gems, gathering information about the movements of spies, bravery, breaking of treaties of peace, winning over the favour of the envoy and government officers of the enemy,---these are the duties of an envoy (dúta).

The king shall employ his own envoys to carry on works of the above description, and guard himself against (the mischief of) foreign envoys by employing counter envoys, spies, and visible and invisible watchmen.

[Thus ends Chapter XVI, “The Mission of Envoys” in Book I, “Concerning Discipline” of the Arthasástra of Kautilya.]



CHAPTER XVII. PROTECTION OF PRINCES.

Protection of Princes

HAVING secured his own personal safety first from his wives and sons, the king can be in a position to maintain the security of his kingdom against immediate enemies as well as foreign kings.

We shall treat of "Protection of Wives" in connection with "Duties toward's the Harem."

Ever since the birth of princes, the king shall take special care of them.

“For,” says Bháradvája, “princes like crabs have a notorious tendency of eating up their begetter. When they are wanting in filial affection, they shall better be punished in secret (upámsudandah).”

"This is,” says Visáláksha, “cruelty, destruction of fortune, and extirpation of the seed of the race of Kshattriyas. Hence it is better to keep them under guard in a definite place.”

“This,” say the school of Parásara, “is akin to the fear from a lurking snake (ahibhayam); for a prince may think that apprehensive of danger, his father has locked him up, and may attempt to put his own father on his lap. Hence it is better to keep a prince under the custody of boundary guards or inside a fort."

"This," says Pisuna, “is akin to the fear (from a wolf in the midst) of a flock of sheep (aurabhrakam bhayam); for after understanding the cause of his rustication, he may avail himself of the opportunity to, make an alliance with the boundary guards (against his father). Hence it is better to throw him inside a fort belonging to a foreign king far away from his own state."

“This,” says Kaunapadanta, “is akin to the position of a calf (vatsasthánam); for just as a man milks a cow with the help of its calf, so the foreign king may milk (reduce) the prince's father. Hence it is better to make a prince live with his maternal relations."

“This,” says Vátavyádhi “is akin to the position of a flag (dhvajasthánamétat): for as in the case of Aditi and Kausika, the prince's maternal relations may, unfurling this flag, go on begging. Hence princes may be suffered to dissipate their lives by sensual excesses (grámyadharma) inasmuch as revelling sons do not dislike their indulgent father."

"This," says Kautilya, "is death in life; for no sooner is a royal family with a prince or princes given to dissipation attacked, than it perishes like a worm-eaten piece of wood. Hence when the queen attains the age favourable for procreation, priests shall offer to Indra and Brihaspati the requisite oblations. When she is big with a child, the king shall observe the instructions of midwifery with regard to gestation and delivery. After delivery, the priests shall perform the prescribed purificatory ceremonials. When the prince attains the necessary age, adepts shall train him under proper discipline."

"Any one of the classmate spies," say (politicians known as) Ambhíyas, "may allure the prince towards hunting, gambling, liquor, and women, and instigate him to attack his own father and snatch the reins of government in his own hands. Another spy shall prevent him from such acts."

"There can be," says Kautilya, "no greater crime or sin than making wicked impressions on an innocent mind; just as a fresh object is stained with whatever it is brought in close association, so a prince with fresh mind is apt to regard as scientific injunctions all that he is told of. Hence he shall be taught only of righteousness and of wealth (artha), but not of unrighteousness and of non-wealth. Classmate spies shall be so courteous towards him as to say "thine are we." When under the temptation of youth, he turns his eye towards women, impure women under the disguise of Aryas shall, at night and in lonely places, terrify him; when fond of liquor, he shall be terrified by making him drink such liquor as is adulterated with narcotics (yógapána); when fond of gambling, he shall be terrified by spies under the disguise of fraudulent persons; when fond of hunting, he shall be terrified by spies under the disguise of highway robbers; and when desirous of attacking his own father, he shall, under the pretence of compliance, be gradually persuaded of the evil consequences of such attempts, by telling: a king is not made by a mere wish; failure of thy attempt will bring about thy own death; success makes thee fall into hell and causes the people to lament (for thy father) and destroy the only clod (ekalóshtavadhascha, i.e., thyself)."

When a king has an only son who is either devoid of worldly pleasures or is a favourite child, the king may keep him under chains. If a king has many sons, he may send some of them to where there is no heir apparent, nor a child either just born or in the embryo.

When a prince is possessed of good and amicable qualities, he may be made the commander-in-chief or installed as heir apparent.

Sons are of three kinds: those of sharp intelligence; those of stagnant intelligence; and those of perverted mind.

Whoever carries into practice whatever he is taught concerning righteousness and wealth is one of sharp intelligence; whoever never carries into practice the good instructions he has imbibed is one of stagnant intelligence; and whoever entangles himself in dangers and hates righteousness and wealth is one of perverted mind.

If a king has an only son (of the last type), attempts shall be made to procreating a son to him; or sons may be begotten on his daughters.

When a king is too old or diseased (to beget sons), he may appoint a maternal relation or a blood relation (kulya) of his or any one of his neighbouring kings possessed of good and amicable qualities to sow the seed in his own field (kshétrebíjam, i.e., to beget a son on his wife.)

But never shall a wicked and an only son be installed on the royal throne.

A royal father who is the only prop for many (people) shall be favourably disposed towards his son. Except in dangers, sovereignty falling to the lot of the eldest (son) is always respected. Sovereignty may (sometimes) be the property of a clan; for the corporation of clans is invincible in its nature and being free from the calamities of anarchy, can have a permanent existence on earth.

[Thus ends Chapter XVII, “Protection of Princes” in Book I, “Concerning Discipline” of the Arthasástra of Kautilya.]



CHAPTER XVIII. THE CONDUCT OF A PRINCE KEPT UNDER RESTRAINT AND THE TREATMENT OF A RESTRAINED PRINCE.

A PRINCE, though put to troubles and employed in an unequal task, shall yet faithfully follow his father unless that task costs his life, enrages the people, or causes any other serious calamities. If he is employed in a good or meritorious work, he shall try to win the good graces of the superintendent of that work, carry the work to a profitable end beyond expectation, and present his father with the proportional profit derived from that work as well as with the excessive profit due to his skill. If the king is not still pleased with him and shows undue partiality to another prince and other wives, he may request the king to permit him for a forest-life.

Or if he apprehends imprisonment or death, he may seek refuge under a neighbouring king who is known to be righteous, charitable, truthful, and not given to cunning, but also welcomes and respects guests of good character. Residing therein he may provide himself with men and money, contract marriage-connection with influential personages, and not only make alliance with wild tribes, but win over the parties (in his father's state).

Or moving alone, he may earn his livelihood by working in gold mines or ruby mines or by manufacturing gold and silver ornaments or any other commercial commodities. Having acquired close intimacy with heretics (páshanda), rich widows, or merchants carrying on ocean traffic he may, by making use of poison (madanarasa), rob them of their wealth as well as the wealth of gods unless the latter is enjoyable by Bráhmans learned in the Vedas. Or he may adopt such measures as are employed to capture the villages of a foreign king. Or he may proceed (against his father) with the help of the servants of his mother.

Or having disguised himself as a painter, a carpenter, court-bard, a physician, a buffoon, or a heretic, and assisted by spies under similar disguise, he may, when opportunity affords itself, present himself armed with weapons and poison before the king, and address him :--

"I am the heir-apparent; it does not become thee to enjoy the state alone when it is enjoyable by both of us, or when others justly desire such enjoyment; I ought not to be kept away by awarding an allowance of double the subsistence and salary."

These are the measures that a prince kept under restraint has to take.

Spies or his mother, natural or adoptive, may reconcile an heir-apparent under restraint and bring him to the court.

Or secret emissaries armed with weapons and poison may kill an abandoned prince. If he is not abandoned, he may be caught hold of at night by employing women equal to the occasion, or by making use of liquor, or on the occasion of hunting, and brought back (to the court).

When thus brought back, he shall be conciliated by the king with promise of sovereignty ‘after me’ (i.e., after the king's death), and kept under guard, in a definite locality. Or if the king has many sons, an unruly prince may be banished.

[Thus ends Chapter XVIII, “The Conduct of a Prince kept under Restraint and the Treatment of a Restrained Prince,” in Book I, “Concerning Discipline” of the Arthasástra of Kautilya.]



CHAPTER XIX. THE DUTIES OF A KING.

IF a king is energetic, his subjects will be equally energetic. If he is reckless, they will not only be reckless likewise, but also eat into his works. Besides, a reckless king will easily fall into the hands of his enemies. Hence the king shall ever be wakeful.

He shall divide both the day and the night into eight nálikas (1½ hours), or according to the length of the shadow (cast by a gnomon standing in the sun): the shadow of three purushás (36 angulás or inches), of one purushá (12 inches), of four angulás (4 inches), and absence of shadow denoting midday are the four one-eighth divisions of the forenoon; like divisions (in the reverse order) in the afternoon.

Of these divisions, during the first one-eighth part of the day, he shall post watchmen and attend to the accounts of receipts and expenditure; during the second part, he shall look to the affairs of both citizens and country people; during the third, he shall not only bathe and dine, but also study; during the fourth, he shall not only receive revenue in gold (hiranya), but also attend to the appointments of superintendents; during the fifth, he shall correspond in writs (patrasampreshanena) with the assembly of his ministers, and receive the secret information gathered by his spies; during the sixth, he may engage himself in his favourite amusements or in self-deliberation; during the seventh, he shall superintend elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry, and during the eighth part, he shall consider various plans of military operations with his commander-in-chief.

At the close of the day, he shall observe the evening prayer (sandhya).

During the first one-eighth part of the night, he shall receive secret emissaries; during the second, he shall attend to bathing and supper and study; during the third, he shall enter the bed-chamber amid the sound of trumpets and enjoy sleep during the fourth and fifth parts; having been awakened by the sound of trumpets during the sixth part, he shall recall to his mind the injunctions of sciences as well as the day's duties; during the seventh, he shall sit considering administrative measures and send out spies; and during the eighth division of the night, he shall receive benedictions from sacrificial priests, teachers, and the high priest, and having seen his physician, chief cook and astrologer, and having saluted both a cow with its calf and a bull by circumambulating round them, he shall get into his court.

Or in conformity to his capacity, he may alter the timetable and attend to his duties.

When in the court, he shall never cause his petitioners to wait at the door, for when a king makes himself inaccessible to his people and entrusts his work to his immediate officers, he may be sure to engender confusion in business, and to cause thereby public disaffection, and himself a prey to his enemies.

He shall, therefore, personally attend to the business of gods, of heretics, of Bráhmans learned in the Vedas, of cattle, of sacred places, of minors, the aged, the afflicted, and the helpless, and of women;---all this in order (of enumeration) or according to the urgency or pressure of those works.

All urgent calls he shall hear at once, but never put off; for when postponed, they will prove too hard or impossible to accomplish.

Having seated himself in the room where the sacred fire has been kept, he shall attend to the business of physicians and ascetics practising austerities; and that in company with his high priest and teacher and after preliminary salutation (to the petitioners).

Accompanied by persons proficient in the three sciences (trividya) but not alone lest the petitioners be offended, he shall look to the business of those who are practising austerities, as well as of those who are experts in witchcraft and Yóga.

Of a king, the religious vow is his readiness to action; satisfactory discharge of duties is his performance of sacrifice; equal attention to all is the offer of fees and ablution towards consecration.

In the happiness of his subjects lies his happiness; in their welfare his welfare; whatever pleases himself he shall not consider as good, but whatever pleases his subjects he shall consider as good.

Hence the king shall ever be active and discharge his duties; the root of wealth is activity, and of evil its reverse.

In the absence of activity acquisitions present and to come will perish; by activity he can achieve both his desired ends and abundance of wealth.

[Thus ends Chapter XIX, “The Duties of a King” in Book I. “Concerning Discipline” of the Arthasástra of Kautilya.]



CHAPTER XX. DUTY TOWARDS THE HAREM.

ON a site naturally best fitted for the purpose, the king shall construct his harem consisting of many compartments, one within the other, enclosed by a parapet and a ditch, and provided with a door.

He shall construct his own residential palace after the model of his treasury-house; or he may have his residential abode in the centre of the delusive chamber (móhanagriha), provided with secret passages made into the walls; or in an underground chamber provided with the figures of goddesses and of altars (chaitya) carved on the wooden door-frame, and connected with many underground passages for exit; or in an upper storey provided with a staircase hidden in a wall, with a passage for exit made in a hollow pillar, the whole building being so constructed with mechanical contrivance as to be caused to fall down when necessary.

Or considering the danger from his own classmates (sahádhyáyi), such contrivances as the above, mainly intended as safeguards against danger, may be made on occasions of danger or otherwise as he deems fit.

No other kind of fire can burn that harem which is thrice circumambulated from right to left by a fire of human make (manushénágnina); nor can there be kindled any other fire. Nor can fire destroy that harem the walls of which are made of mud mixed with ashes produced by lightning, and wetted in hail-water (karaka-vári).

Poisonous snakes will not dare to enter into such buildings as are provided with Jívanti (Fæderia Fœtida), svéta (Aconitum Ferox), mushkakapushpa (?), and vandáka (Epidendrum Tesselatum), and as are protected by the branches of péjáta (?) and of asvattha (Ficus Religiosa).

Cats, peacocks, mangooses, and the spotted deer eat up snakes.

Parrots, minas (sárika), and Malbar birds (bhringarája) shriek when they perceive the smell of snake-poison.

The heron (crauncha) swoons in the vicinity of poison; the pheasant (jívanjívaka) feels distress; the youthful cuckoo (mattakókila) dies; the eyes of partridge (chakóra) are reddened.

Thus remedies shall be applied against fire and poison.

On one side in the rear of the harem, there shall be made for the residence of women compartments provided not only with all kinds of medicines useful in midwifery and diseases, but also with well known pot-herbs (prakhyátasamsthávriksha), and a water-reservoir; outside these compartments, the residences of princes and princesses; in front (of the latter building), the toilet-ground (alankára bhúmih), the council-ground (mantrabhúmib), the court, and the offices of the heir-apparent and of superintendents.

In the intervening places between two compartments, the army of the officer in charge of the harem shall be stationed.

When in the interior of the harem, the king shall see the queen only when her personal purity is vouchsafed by an old maid-servant. He shall not touch any woman (unless he is apprised of her personal purity); for hidden in the queen's chamber, his own brother slew king Bhadrasena; hiding himself under the bed of his mother, the son killed king Kárusa; mixing fried rice with poison, as though with honey, his own queen poisoned Kásirája; with an anklet painted with poison, his own queen killed Vairantya; with a gem of her zone bedaubed with poison, his own queen killed Sauvíra; with a looking glass painted with poison, his own queen killed Jálútha; and with a weapon hidden under her tuft of hair, his own queen slew Vidúratha.

Hence the king shall always be careful to avoid such lurking dangers. He shall keep away his wives from the society of ascetics with shaved head or braided hair, of buffoons, and of outside prostitutes (dási). Nor shall women of high birth have occasion to see his wives except appointed midwives.

Prostitutes (rúpájíva) with personal cleanliness effected by fresh bath and with fresh garments and ornaments shall attend the harem.

Eighty men and fifty women under the guise of fathers and mothers, and aged persons, and eunuchs shall not only ascertain purity and impurity in the life of the inmates of the harem, but also so regulate the affairs as to be conducive to the happiness of the king.

Every person in the harem shall live in the place assigned to him, and shall never move to the place assigned to others. No one of the harem shall at any time keep company with any outsider.

The passage of all kinds of commodities from or into the harem shall be restricted and shall, after careful examination, be allowed to reach their destination either inside or outside the harem as indicated by the seal-mark (mudrá).

[Thus ends Chapter XX, “Duty towards the Harem” in Book I, “Concerning Discipline” of the Arthasástra of Kautilya.]



CHAPTER XXI. PERSONAL SAFETY.

ON getting up from the bed, the king shall be received by troops of women armed with bows. In the second compartment, he shall be received by the Kanchuki (presenter of the king's coat), the Ushnisi (presenter of king's head-dress), aged persons, and other harem attendants.

In the third compartment, he shall be received by crooked and dwarfish persons; in the fourth, by prime ministers, kinsmen, and door-keepers with barbed missiles in their hand.

The king shall employ as his personal attendants those whose fathers and grandfathers had been royal servants, those who bear close relationship to the king, those who are well trained and loyal, and those who have rendered good service.

Neither foreigners, nor those who have earned neither rewards nor honour by rendering good service, nor even natives found engaged in inimical works shall form the bodyguard of the king or the troops of the officers in charge of the harem.

In a well-guarded locality, the head-cook (máhánasika) shall supervise the preparation of varieties of relishing dishes. The king shall partake of such fresh dishes after making an oblation out of them first to the fire and then to birds.

When the flame and the smoke turn blue and crackle, and when birds (that eat the oblation) die, presence of poison (in the dish) shall be inferred. When the vapour arising from cooked rice possesses the colour of the neck of a peacock, and appears chill as if suddenly cooled, when vegetables possess an unnatural colour, and are watery and hardened, and appear to have suddenly turned dry, being possessed of broken layers of blackish foam, and being devoid of smell, touch and taste natural to them; when utensils reflect light either more or less than usual, and are covered with a layer of foam at their edges; when any liquid preparation possesses streaks on its surface; when milk bears a bluish streak in the centre of its surface; when liquor and water possess reddish streaks; when curd is marked with black and dark streaks, and honey with white streaks; when watery things appear parched as if overcooked and look blue and swollen; when dry things have shrinked and changed in their colour; when hard things appear soft, and soft things hard; when minute animalculæ die in the vicinity of the dishes; when carpets and curtains possess blackish circular spots, with their threads and hair fallen off; when metallic vessels set with gems appear tarnished as though by roasting, and have lost their polish, colour, shine, and softness of touch, presence of poison shall be inferred.

As to the person who has administered poison, the marks are parched and dry mouth; hesitation in speaking; heavy perspiration; yawning; too much bodily tremour; frequent tumbling; evasion of speech; carelessness in work; and unwillingness to keep to the place assigned to him.

Hence physicians and experts capable of detecting poison shall ever attend upon the king.

Having taken out from the store-room of medicines that medicine the purity of which has been proved by experiment, and having himself together with the decoctioner and the purveyor (páchaka and póshaka) tasted it, the physician shall hand over the medicine to the king. The same rule shall apply to liquor and other beverages.

Having cleaned their person and hands by fresh bath and put on newly-washed garment, servants in charge of dresses, and toilets shall serve the king with dresses and toilets received under seal from the officer in charge of the harem.

Prostitutes shall do the duty of bath-room servants, shampooers, bedding-room servants, washermen, and flower garland-makers, while presenting to the king water, scents, fragrant powders, dress and garlands, servants along with the above prostitutes shall first touch these things by their eyes, arms and breast.

The same rule shall apply to whatever has been received from an outside person.

Musicians shall entertain the king with those kinds of amusements in which weapons, fire, and poison are not made use of. Musical instruments as well as the ornaments of horses, chariots, and elephants shall invariably be kept inside (the harem).

The king shall mount over chariots or beasts of burden only when they are first mounted over by his hereditary driver or rider.

He shall get into a boat only when it is piloted by a trustworthy sailor and is conjoined to a second boat. He shall never sail on any ship which had once been weatherbeaten; and (while boating on a good ship) his army shall all the while stand on the bank or the shore.

He shall get into such water as is free from large fishes (matsya) and crocodiles. He shall ramble only in such forests as are freed from snakes and crocodiles (gráha).

With a view of acquiring efficiency in the skill of shooting arrows at moving objects, he shall engage himself in sports in such forests as are cleared by hunters and hound-keepers from the fear of high-way-robbers, snakes, and enemies.

Attended by trustworthy bodyguard armed with weapons, he shall give interview to saints and ascetics. Surrounded by his assembly of minsters, he shall receive the envoys of foreign states.

Attired in military dress and having mounted a horse, a chariot, or an elephant, he shall go see his army equipped in military array.

On the occaision of going out of, and coming into (the capital), the king’s road shall on both sides be well guarded by staff-bearers and freed from the presence of armed persons, ascetics, and the cripple (vyanga).

He shall go to witness festive trains, fairs (yátra), procession, or sacrificial performances only when they are policed by bands of ‘The Ten Communities.’ (dasavargikadhishthitáni).

Just as he attends to the personal safety of others through the agency of spies, so a wise king shall also take care to secure his person from external dangers.

[Thus ends Chapter XX, “Personal Safety” in Book I, “Concerning Discipline” of the Arthasástra of Kautilya. With this, the Book I, “Concerning Discipline” of the Arthasástra of Kautilya, has ended.]

The Above Shastra/Science is considered a must read for Management Studies, for those who aspires to be a great leader/manager/or a successful ruler.