1. “Indian Approach to
Human Resource
Management”
Hrb2b.com
The Global web portal for the HR
people..

2. The History and Background
of
“Kautilya’s Arthashastra”

3. Who was Chanakya ?
 Born in 350 B.C.
 Vishugupta – Kautilya – Chanakya
 Pulled down Nanda Dynasty
 King maker – Chandragupta Maurya
 Responsible for the defeat of Alexander in India
 Kautilya’s Arthashastra & Chanakya Niti –
Documented towards the end of his life

4. Kautilya’s Arthashastra
 Written in Samskrit
 Contains 15 books, 150 chapters and
6000 sutras
 Covers over 180 topics. Known as a
Book of Economics, state craft,
Management, warfare, strategy etc
 It’s a Book of ‘Total Management’

5. 3 BC Chanakya Arthashastra
4 BC Ashoka 1st
emperor
Golden era of India
(Sone ki chidiya)
14 AD Moughals
16 AD Shivaji Last king to study
1905 Rediscovery Dr S Shastry
2005 100th Ann Awareness - Mgt
2400 years of Arthashastra history

6. Management Topics in Arthashastra
 Principles of
Management
 Management Education
 Accounting systems
 Corporate Governance
 Time Management
 Leadership Skills
 Contracts
 Selection of Employees
 Consulting
 Strategic Management
 Handling competition
 Expansion of Territory etc

7. Sample of Verses related to
Management Topics
in
‘Kautilya’s Arthashastra’

8. What is Management?
“The means of starting undertakings, the
excellence of men and material,
(suitable) apportionment of place and
time, provision against failure (and)
accomplishment of work – this is
deliberation in its five aspect” (1.15.42)

9. Definition and the Basic elements of Management
1. The means of starting undertakings
(assignments/ projects)
2. The excellence of men and materials
3. Deciding suitable place and time
4. Provision against failure
5. Accomplishment of the work
 (1.15.42)

10. Wealth Creation
 “Wealth will slip away from the foolish
person, who continuously consults the
stars; for wealth is the star of wealth; what
will the stars do? Capable men will
certainly secure wealth at least after a
hundred trails” ( 9.4.26)

11. Role of a Consultant
 Consultation
 “All undertakings should be preceded by consultation.
Holding a consultation with only one, he may not be able
to reach a decision in difficult matters. With more
councilors it is difficult to reach decisions and maintain
secrecy” (1.15.2,35,40)
 Therefore sit and counsel with those who are matured in
intellect ( 1.15.20-21)

12. Principles of Human
resource management
from ‘Kautilya’s
Arthashastra’
(Sutras)

13. First principle of an organisation
 “In the happiness of the subjects lies the
benefit of the king and in what is beneficial
to the subjects is his own benefit” –
(1.19.34)

14. Areas concerned with current HRD
dealt in Arthashastra
 Recruitment / Selection
 Training
 Mentorship
 Salary structure
 Motivation
 Feedback / MIS systems

15. Selection of Employees
Appointment of trainees
A ‘trainable’ person is the one who has the following
qualities
1.Desire to learn
2.Effective listening ability
3.Ability to reflect (think from all angles)
4.Ability to reject false views
5.Intentness on truth not on any person
(1.5.4-5)

16. Qualities to be tested before
appointment(experienced person)
1. Technical competence -In that particular field
through those person learned in that science.
2. Intelligence, perseverance and dexterity
3. Eloquence, Boldness and presence of mind
4. Ability to bear troubles during emergencies
5. Uprightness, friendliness and firmness of
devotion in dealing with others
6. Strength of character
 (1.9.3)

17. Mentorship
“Training and discipline are acquired by
accepting the authoritativeness of the
teachers in the respective fields” (1.5.6)
“He should have constant association
with elders in learning for the sake of
improving his training, since training
has its root in that” (1.5.11)

18. Handling Employees
 Theory of Motivation
 Sama (counseling),
 Dana (offering of gifts),
 Danda (Punishments),
 Bheda (division)

19. Handling Employees
 “He (leader) should constantly hold an
inspection of their works, men being inconstant
in their minds” (2.9.2-3)
 There fore create a good MIS (Management
information System) best suited for you.

20. Salary Structure
 “A wage is for work done, not for what
is not done” (3.14.8)
 “The payment of the wages was
decided on the basis of work done,
time spent in doing it, at the rate
prevailing at the time” (3.13.27)

21. For Training / Consultancy based on Kautilya’s
Arthashastra
Contact :
Radhakrishnan Pillai
ATMA DARSHAN
www.atmadarshan.com
radhakrishnan@atmadarshan.com
91-98203 74796 / 98198 25474