Consolidation of the kingdom then advises the minister, with the help of nobles and king's family, to install heir apparent and show him in public; he shall then conduct the rest of the administration on the behalf of the newly installed heir apparent. The chapter then reflects light on the intrigues played by the minister who pretends to be against the state when a king is dead in the enemy area. As such Kautilya makes a mention that with the end of the king the minister is free to invest himself with all powers of sovereignty. On the positive side the minister shall righteously place a prince on the thrown who shall possess all amiable qualities in his character. Consolidation of the Kingdom then specifies that the role of a responsible minister shall begin with installation of the prince to the thrown and shall end only when the prince reaches the age of self administration during which time he shall request him to relieve him of his responsibilities and settle for a simple life reading Puranas and other Vedic literatures of Vedic age. Thus, Consolidation of the Kingdom has been written by Kautilya to evaluate the future of the kingdom after the death of the king .The minister shall play a role of intermediary and function for the state in the absence of any actual ruler and look after the security of the kingdom in their absence. |