Hindu Political Thought: Liberal, Conservative and Reactionary
Introduction This essay is intended to provide a theoretical introduction to the three varieties of political thought that have emerged among the Hindus in modern times. The circumstances of modernity naturally More...
An Account of Democratic Practices in India
The article by Rakesh Goyal on the ideas of democracy in ancient India, while useful in providing a theoretical construct, is inadequate in putting forward the practical constructs of these ideas in ancient India. More...
Artha Sutra of Kautilya: A Translation
[contextly_sidebar id=”j7vJl1Hkd7acdfAwTINI796t7CM79pH9″] Kautilya, also known as Chanakaya and Vishnugupta, is probably the oldest known authority on economics. Arthashastra, the oldest surviving More...
Judicial Traditions and Processes in Hinduism: An Overview
Authored by Judge C. G. Weeramantry, former Vice President of the International Court of Justice and former judge of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. This was first published in Sunday Times, Sri Lanka. Hinduism More...
Temples and the State in the Indian Tradition: Part 3
The third part of the series on Hindu Temples, their conception, history, heritage and legacy authored by M.D. Srinivas. [contextly_sidebar id=”xUvEeUBwpbitTV9kizglKYHk5hfeLZ4r”] The state in India More...
Bodies of Knowledge in Hinduism
[contextly_sidebar id=”mCKuywK9fzsj3eOSTTycWAALSNEF2iZy”] Upavedas Upavedas are the secondary (upa) bodies of knowledge (veda). The Vedas are spiritual in nature while the Upavedas are secular. The terms More...
Acharya Chanakya’s approach to knowledge
Introduction The wise Viṣṇugupta Cāṇakya, also known as Kauṭilya, who propelled the Mauryan Chandragupta to meteoric heights, while uprooting the tree of the wicked Nanda-s and cleansing the taint of the More...
The Arthashastra and the welfare state
As a new Gregorian year begins, it is appropriate to revisit the concept of a welfare state in the Sanskrit canon. The state had its obligations to the broader population. The public welfare was the measure by which More...