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Conduct of a Courtier
Conduct of a courtier, as mentioned in Chapter IV of Book V in Arthashastra, lays down the specific characteristics of the courtier who should be allowed to enter the royal court. He is supposed to be a character with noble identity who is required to advise the king at times when required.

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Conduct of a Courtier which has been mentioned by Kautilya in chapter IV of Book V in Arthashastra defines the role of the eminent personalities who are supposed to enrich King`s courtroom with noble wisdom and scholarly advises which shall be rendered to the king at the time of need. These eminent courtiers shall advise the king on sciences of life. Arthashastra lays down certain qualifications for the courtier which shall help the king to select the right person for his court.

Conduct of a Courtier mentions whoever possesses enough experience in the world affairs, seeks the favour of the king who bears an amiable character and who is possessed with all elements of sovereignty shall have the right to be selected as one of the courtier. The person can also court the favour or honours showed by any king provided to him as a token of his moral character. Having obtained admittance in the King`s court room he shall be required to advise the king on life science and all the morals which is required to enrich the king with just and wise decisions. The main aim of the king`s courtiers shall be to avoid contradictions over king`s decisions which shall secure his place and his decisions as on that the future of the kingdom shall depend. In the absence of contradiction the king as well as the adviser shall be in a position to reiterate a unanimous decision which shall highlight the unity of the kingdom in front of others. The courtier shall also be required to answer on the questions of righteousness as well as economy and advise the king according to the statement laid down in Arthashastra:

The courtier shall sit by the side of the king and away from rest of the courtiers; he shall avoid speaking slyly things against the opinion of any of the courtiers; shall never make incredible or false statements; should be neither loud nor ill mannered; should restrict himself from consulting and taking advises from any other person who belongs to different assembly of ministers and should prohibit himself from such activities as dressing into royal dress in public, haughtiness, buffoonery , bribery, interrupting the king while speaking etc.

Conduct of the courtier suggests that he, without loosing any opportunity, should speak of the king`s interest whenever he is in public and about his own interest only when he is in the company of his close friends; and of other interest in suitable time and place in conformity with the principles of righteousness and economy. When asked he should always advise the king what is smooth and pleasing and not what is unpleasant as that may turn out to be misleading. On controversial issues he may choose to remain silent but should never talk something which is against the king`s opinion and should abstain from speaking something which the king hates. Overall his main concern shall be to protect himself as well as his king so that the king can avoid all kinds of dangers.

Thus conduct of the courtier must be sound and confident as he shall be the one who represent his master or the king along with the kingdom in front of all the neighbouring states .As such his conduct must be heavily diplomatic and flexible who shall be able to mould all adverse situations towards favourable end.


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