Arthashastra - Accountability and Ministers

Devanagari

मर्यादां स्थापयेदाचार्यानामत्यान्वा यैनमपाय स्थानेभ्यो वारयेयुः छायानालिकाप्रतोदेन वा रहसि प्रमाद्यन्तमभतुदेयुः ॥
सहायसाध्यं राजत्वं चक्रमेकं न वर्तते ॥
कुर्वीत सचिवांस्तस्मात्तेषां च शृणुयान्मतम ॥

Transliteration

maryādāṃ sthāpayed-ācāryān-amātyān-vā yainam-apāya sthānebhyo vārayeyuḥ chāyā-nālikā-pratodena vā rahasi pramādyantam-abhitudeyuḥ ||
sahāya-sādhyaṃ rājatvaṃ cakram-ekaṃ na vartate ||
kurvīta sacivāṃs-tasmāt-teṣāṃ ca śṛṇuyān-matam ||

Translation

Accountability (1.7.08): He should establish boundaries by appointing teachers or ministers who can stop him from falling into danger; they should “poke” him (like a goad) in private if he becomes careless or intoxicated by power.

The Single Wheel (1.7.09): Sovereignty is possible only with assistance. A single wheel does not move (a chariot). Therefore, he should appoint ministers and listen to their opinion.

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