षोडश इति बार्हस्पत्याः ॥ कZ_०१.१५.४८ ॥
ṣoḍaśa iti bārhaspatyāḥ
बार्हस्पत्याः आहुः—षोडश इति॥
The optimal size of the king’s advisory council (mantripariṣad).
Kauṭilya frames policy as a reasoned choice among expert traditions, not mere custom.