Ajnapatra and Sanskrit Works on Polity-A Comparison

Summary

Ajñāpatra is a Marathi treatise on polity, traditionally dated to the late seventeenth century and associated with the Maratha ruler Shivaji and his guru Samarth Ramdas. This article compares its contents with those of classical Sanskrit political works such as the Arthashastra and Nitisara. The author outlines Ajñāpatra’s discussion of the divine origin of kingship, the qualities of a king, the functions of ministers and the administration of justice. It emphasises the text’s insistence that although the king is the supreme authority, he must appoint qualified ministers drawn from good families, experienced in various disciplines and free from greed. The treatise likens ministers to pillars supporting the kingdom and sets moral standards for their conduct. By juxtaposing these prescriptions with those found in Sanskrit texts, the article highlights both continuities and innovations. Ajñāpatra reflects the pragmatic needs of a regional power in a period of political upheaval, incorporating indigenous Maratha values and examples, while Sanskrit works adopt a more universal tone. Differences include Ajñāpatra’s greater emphasis on personal loyalty and its inclusion of examples from the life of Shivaji, contrasted with the more abstract theorising in Sanskrit manuals. The article concludes that Ajñāpatra serves as a bridge between classical political theory and early modern statecraft, illustrating how traditional concepts were adapted to new contexts and languages.