* Eligibilty criteria for ministers. * Characteristics of worthy Mantri (Minister). * Characteristics of a worthy gentleman. * Five organs of Mantrana.
Eligibilty criteria for ministers.
Shri Narayan Muni said:-
Characteristics of worthy Mantri (Minister).
A king should appoint a minister having a pleasant appearance, good complexion, a commanding voice, who is forbearing and un-envious, well-born, intelligent, has a sharp memory, who is well- versed in polity and ethics and is free from cruelty. Such a person, whether honoured or not, should not turn against him (the King), should be brave, learned and be interested in doing good for the king. 1 - 2.
Characteristics of a worthy gentleman.
Only such people should be selected as friends and aides. They should be well- born, have a good moral character, should not be harsh, should sense other’s intentions, should have the knowledge of traditions and customs of different times and places, should be brave, courageous and eager to do good. In addition, should have the knowledge of spiritual lore (Jnana) and of the worldly sciences (Vijnana). They should be capable of estimating others’ nature and temperaments. They should be truthful and contented. 3 - 4.
Five organs of Mantrana.
There are five constituents of policy deliberation in state- craft. These are: Allies, friends and aides, acquisition of resources, consideration of distinctive features of time and place, resistance of impending calamity and achieving the desired goal. The King should therefore keep these secret by making special efforts.5-6
A king should never have deliberations with the dull, those who procrastinate and those who are idle and weak. He himself should vanquish his sloth and sleep. 7.
A king should keep the mantra secret by discarding the pride of knowledge, wealth and family. He should maintain secrecy till he achieves his goal. 8.
A king should carry on consultations in solitary place with those who understand the secret of state-craft. He can do it at places like the palace, mountain- top or deep forests that stretch beyond the rays of sunlight. 9.
Deserts, land, mountains, trees, water and mortal (soldiers) are six kinds of fortifications of a king. Of these, the mortal (soldier) is the strongest. 10.
For his own good (or for the good of his subjects), a king should always be compassionate to men of four Varnas and Ashramas; his well protected subjects enhances his reputation greatly. 11.
A king should exert control over alcoholics, gamblers, the cunning, the heretics, actors, bards and the libidinous. 12.
A king should always respect the wealthy because they provide support to the people and he should never destroy trees which yield nourishing fruits. 13.
A king should provide means of livelihood to those Brahmins who need it. Nevertheless, he should rescue them from calamities; by this he will never get unhappy. 14.
He should wipe the tears of the poor, the helpless and the old. Thus, a king who gives happiness (to his people) never perishes in a calamity. 15.
In time of calamities, a King should never procrastinate. One who acts promptly achieves success; one who procrastinates perishes. 16.
A king should strive for the well–being of Brahmins and cows. For their protection, he should wage war with enemies if the need arises. Furthermore, their crops should never be taken away from them nor their practice of agriculture be obstructed. 17.
A king should never confiscate the tools and instruments of artisans which are the means of their livelihood even if he is in a situation of losing everything. 18.
He should never confiscate the weapons of soldiers or the carts from the cart men. He should not seize the ornaments of prostitutes and the musical instruments of musicians. 19.
In polity, taking away the means of a person’s livelihood is considered to be worse than hurting them with weapons. ‘O great Brahmin!, for this reason a wise king should never resort to such behaviour. 20.
Thus ends the twenty fifth chapter entitled, ‘narration of aspects of state craft,’ in the fifth Prakaran of Satsangi jivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as Dharmashastra (the rules of the code of conduct). 25