Author: Chandana Sahu
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.70798/PP/020300052
Abstract: India has diverse socio-cultural-political frameworks. This study examines how concepts from the Mahabharata and the Arthashastra— two ancient texts integral to Indian thought have shaped and continue to shape good governance, the rule of law, and state welfare in India. The Mahabharata’s Shanti Parva defines rajdharma, providing ethical guidance for rulers, while the Arthashastra offers pragmatic strategies for statecraft. These works create a foundational model for leadership that prioritises the security and well-being of citizens. As Indian society evolves, the analysis examines how rajdharma evolves within constitutional democracy, exploring both the philosophical and empirical legacies of these treatises for modern Indian governance. Using qualitative and descriptive analytical methods, the main objective is to clarify the philosophical and normative approaches in the Mahabharata and the Arthashastra and to assess their continuing impact on political and social life. Constitutional democracy evaluates the adaptation of rajdharma.
Keywords: Mahabharata, Arthashastra, Indian Constitution, Rajdharma, Governance.
Page No: 411-418