Knowledge Bank

What do you mean by Arthashastra?

Arthashastra is a book written by Kautilya (Chanakya) about administration, economic policy, and military strategy. It was written in the 3rd century BCE. Kautilya was the guru of Chandragupta Maurya. The book deals with 180 topics in 150 chapters. The topics include - the need for law and government, the roles of kings and officials, how checks should be maintained on administration, causes of poverty, causes of unrest, the judicial system, laws of marriage, forests and wildlife, manufacturing, mining, war and peace, spying, propaganda, and taxation.

Agnishvatta (अग्निष्वात्ताः)

There are seven kinds of Pitrus - Agnishvatta, Vairaja, Garhapatya, Somapa, Ekashringa, Chaturveda, and Kala. Someone who performs all the rituals mentioned in the Smritis such as aupasana, sthaleepka but does not perform the Shrauta Yajnas would attain the Loka of Agnishvatta Pitrus.