Arthashastra: illustrated cover of the Vedapath edition
Arthashastra: illustrated cover of the Vedapath edition
StatecraftWritten by Kautilya (Chanakya)4th century BCE

Arthashastra in Indonesian

अर्थशास्त्र

The Science of Wealth and Statecraft

The foundational treatise on governance, economics, law, diplomacy, and military strategy by Kautilya.

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About This Book

The Arthashastra is an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy, attributed to Kautilya (also known as Chanakya), the legendary advisor to Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. Written in the 4th century BCE, it is one of the most comprehensive works on governance ever composed, covering everything from the training of a king and the duties of ministers to taxation, law, espionage, diplomacy, and warfare. Its 15 books (adhikaranas), 150 chapters, and 5,337 sutras form a complete science of state administration.

How This Book Is Organised

The Arthashastra is structured as a systematic treatise progressing from internal governance to external strategy.

Adhikaranas

15 books covering distinct domains

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Adhyayas

Chapters within each book

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Sutras

Aphorisms read one by one

Available Reading Features

This edition of the Arthashastra on Vedapath includes:

Sanskrit

Original Sanskrit sutras (Devanagari)

Transliteration

Transliteration for guided reading

Meanings

Word-by-word meanings

Translations

Clear, faithful translations

Enrichment

Governance domain analysis and strategic context

Adhikaranas of the Arthashastra

The Arthashastra is divided into fifteen Adhikaranas (books).
Each Adhikarana covers a distinct domain of statecraft and governance.

Arthashastra - Vinayaadhikaarika (Concerning Discipline)

Book 1: Vinayaadhikaarika (Concerning Discipline)

Concerning Discipline

Buku 1 dari Arthaśāstra menempatkan seluruh ilmu ketatanegaraan pada vinaya, kedisiplinan.

DisciplineRoyal TrainingGovernance
Arthashastra - Adhyakshaprachara (The Duties of Government Superintendents)

Book 2: Adhyakshaprachara (The Duties of Government Superintendents)

Duties of Superintendents

Buku 2 adalah panduan administrasi Arthaśāstra, tugas para adhyakṣa yang menjalankan departemen-departemen negara.

AdministrationEconomyTrade
Arthashastra - Dharmasthiya (Concerning Law)

Book 3: Dharmasthiya (Concerning Law)

Concerning Law

Buku 3 menghimpun hukum yang diterapkan oleh para hakim raja, para dharmastha, terhadap perselisihan di antara rakyatnya.

LawJusticeCivil Code
Arthashastra - Kantakashodhana (Removal of Thorns)

Book 4: Kantakashodhana (Removal of Thorns)

Removal of Thorns

Buku 4 adalah buku Kauṭilya tentang perlindungan publik, penghapusan duri (kaṇṭakaśodhana): segala yang memangsa rakyat.

Criminal LawSecurityPunishment
Arthashastra - Yogavritta (The Conduct of Courtiers)

Book 5: Yogavritta (The Conduct of Courtiers)

Conduct of Courtiers

Buku 5 beralih ke istana dan perbendaharaan pada masa sulit.

CourtiersDiplomacyPolitical Conduct
Arthashastra - Mandala-yoni (The Source of Sovereign States)

Book 6: Mandala-yoni (The Source of Sovereign States)

Source of Sovereign States

Buku 6 meletakkan dasar bagi kebijakan luar negeri.

Mandala TheoryGeopoliticsAlliances
Arthashastra - Shadgunya (The Sixfold Policy)

Book 7: Shadgunya (The Sixfold Policy)

The Sixfold Policy

Buku 7 adalah manual Kauṭilya tentang kebijakan luar negeri, yang dibangun atas enam tindakan yang muncul dari maṇḍala, lingkaran negara-negara: perdamaian, peperangan, tetap diam, bergerak maju, mencari perlindungan, dan kebijakan ganda.

ShadgunyaForeign PolicyStrategy
Arthashastra - Vyasanadhikarana (Concerning Vices and Calamities)

Book 8: Vyasanadhikarana (Concerning Vices and Calamities)

Vices and Calamities

Buku 8 membahas tentang bencana (vyasana), kemalangan yang menimpa unsur-unsur suatu negara, dan mana yang lebih berat ketika beberapa bencana datang sekaligus.

VicesCalamitiesRisk Management
Arthashastra - Abhiyasyatkarma (The Work of an Invader)

Book 9: Abhiyasyatkarma (The Work of an Invader)

Work of an Invader

Buku 9 menetapkan apa yang harus dipertimbangkan oleh seorang penyerang sebelum dan selama sebuah kampanye militer.

MilitaryInvasionCampaign Strategy
Arthashastra - Sangrama (Relating to War)

Book 10: Sangrama (Relating to War)

Relating to War

Buku 10 adalah buku pertempuran dalam Arthaśāstra. Buku ini menetapkan kemah yang dibentengi, susunan dan perlindungan pasukan saat berbaris, serta pilihan antara pertempuran terbuka dan pertempuran curang (kūṭayuddha), beserta cara-cara untuk meneguhkan pasukan sendiri.

WarfareTacticsBattle Formations
Arthashastra - Sangha (Policy towards Oligarchies)

Book 11: Sangha (Policy towards Oligarchies)

Policy towards Oligarchies

Buku 11 membahas tentang saṃgha, konfederasi dan entitas politik korporatif yang kekuatannya terletak pada persatuan mereka. Kauṭilya menganggap memenangkan saṃgha sebagai perolehan terbaik dari segala perolehan, melebihi pasukan atau sekutu.

SanghaConfederaciesStatecraft
Arthashastra - Abaliyasam (Concerning a Powerful Enemy)

Book 12: Abaliyasam (Concerning a Powerful Enemy)

Concerning a Powerful Enemy

Buku 12 ditujukan bagi raja yang lebih lemah yang diserang oleh raja yang lebih kuat.

Asymmetric StrategySurvivalDiplomacy
Arthashastra - Durgalambhopaya (Strategic Means for Capturing a Fort)

Book 13: Durgalambhopaya (Strategic Means for Capturing a Fort)

Capturing a Fort

Buku 13 adalah panduan Kauṭilya untuk merebut benteng dan mempertahankan apa yang telah dimenangkan.

SiegeFortificationConquest
Arthashastra - Aupanishadika (Secret Means)

Book 14: Aupanishadika (Secret Means)

Secret Means

Buku 14 menghimpun sarana-sarana rahasia (aupaniṣadika) yang dapat digunakan oleh seorang raja, menurut Kauṭilya, terhadap mereka yang sangat jahat, demi perlindungan tatanan sosial.

EspionageCovert OpsSecret Agents
Arthashastra - Tantrayukti (Plan of a Treatise)

Book 15: Tantrayukti (Plan of a Treatise)

Plan of a Treatise

Buku 15 menutup Arthaśāstra dengan metodenya.

MethodologyTantrayuktiTreatise Structure

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