Given his vast expositions on the Vedas, Upanishads, and Dharmashastras, it feels natural that he would have addressed Kautilya’s statecraft. Could you share any passages or insights where Sri Aurobindo evaluates Kautilya or the ideas in the Arthashastra?
Sri Aurobindo did comment on Kautilya (aka Chanakya) in his writings on the Mahabharata as well as the Foundations of Indian Culture. The essence of it is as follows.
Kautilya is no doubt among the great names in ancient Indian polity, brilliant in planning and organising a kingdom. But his ideas are suited best to Monarchies. It is difficult to adapt them to the modern conditions of democracies.
Secondly, his ideas appeal and apply much more to the intellectual humanity. It minimises the role of the Kshatriya impulse, of chivalry and an uncalculating sacrifice.
Sri Aurobindo preferred the subtler dharma-based politics of Vyasa and the yet subtler statecraft of Valmiki.
He has elaborated these ideas in his notes on the Mahabharata that run into several pages.
Affectionately,
Alok da
