Sukracarya’s Sukraniti-Sara: A Sanskrit Text Book on Ancient Indian Political Science

The Sukraniti of Sukracarya is said to be the essence (sara) of the whole Nitisastra and is an extensive argumentative thesis (tarkavistrtam) compiled for the purpose of the increase of prosperity of the rulers. The present text furnishes us with the seven angas or seven factors of the State and in this respect the author promotes unique views and information on several aspects of society and administration. The text has dealt with both political and non-political contents. In the Sukraniti, the doctrines in regard to political ideas, warfare, arts, sciences, morals, economics, constitution, finance, jurisprudence, international law etc. have been clearly discussed. The limits of the nation in the Sukraniti, as in the Arthasastra, are defined in terms of the boundaries of desa or country, but not in terms of race, tribe, language and culture.