Kautilya

Have read RP kangle's translation plus commentary (Vol.2 &3; Vol.1 beingthe Sanskrit text), RK Chaudhary and there is another very good translation by SL Rangrajan with commentary and re-chapterisation of the text. RS Sharma's classical work -- 'Perspectives on political Ideas and Institutions in Ancient India' too extensively refers to his Arthshastra apart from having two exclusive chapters on it. His King is Rajarshi, sage like king with a strict time table devoted to statecraft. "The interest of the king lies in the interest of the people. In fact, as BP Varma describes, his state is a welfare state, to add to it, minus the anomalies of the industrial society. I just said that he does not care for the sanity of means including use of religion and religious superstitions for the furtherance of the state. A large section of personnel in the ubiquitous network of spies disguise as religious people including Buddhist monks and nuns.