Ancient Bharat Insistence On Lessons In Varta For Kings

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Varta was a significant subject of learning in ancient Bharat. This subject explained the diverse aspects of economics including the relevance of the national economy. Animal husbandry, agriculture, and trade/commerce were the primary occupations described in Varta. In ancient India, it was considered to be crucial that the kings were fully knowledgeable about Varta. This particular article is going to elaborate on a few related, salient points.

It was indispensable for emperors to keep themselves updated with details regarding Varta. This helped them to ensure that their subjects had equal opportunities to earn their livelihood.
Based on the insights given by Varta, the rulers were enabled to take care of production, distribution, and selling to final consumers. It is now erroneously opined that only the economics taught in the English education system introduced those concepts to the world. Varta detailed all those matters thousands of years back.
This knowledge helped the rulers to maintain economic stability and achieve economic prosperity in their empire.
To realize the above objectives, the emperors of those times took the guidance of renowned scholars and economists.
Many ancient scriptures and texts of Sanatana Bharat stressed on the importance of learning about Varta, for emperors. For instance, in Arthashastra; Kautilya emphasized that Varta was among the four Vidyas. The other three are Aanvikshiki, Traayi, and Dandaneeti. Aanvikshiki included topics pertinent to philosophy, while Traayi covered the three Vedas. Likewise, Dandaneeti was all about politics, which is of immense value for rulers and administrators.
Being completely educated about Varta helped the emperors to have a thorough understanding of the remaining three Vidyas. Kautilya maintained that the knowledge of Varta facilitated a ruler to be in a position of power. That is with regard to exercising full control over the subjects. Arthashastra clearly says that only those kings who make appropriate use of Varta are worthy to be respected.
Similarly, even the Ayodhya Kanda of Ramayana prioritizes Varta while speaking of the duties of kings. In this Kanda, Lord Raama urges Bharata not to neglect Varta and to work for the well-being of Vysyas involved in agriculture, trade, and animal breeding.
We can take the ancient text “Harivamsa” as an example, too. This work is considered to be an extension of the epic, Mahabharata. In Harivamsa, the sages convey a pivotal aspect to the subjects of Prthu. They say that their king has taken complete responsibility for providing them with the right resources to earn their living. This highlights the point that it’s the bound duty of a ruler to conform to the principles enumerated in Varta.
Manu Smriti mentions that it won’t suffice if an emperor is skilled only in Aanvikshiki, Traayi, and Dandaneeti. It is paramount that they are also well-versed in Varta. This sacred work states that if it is necessary, a ruler shouldn’t hesitate to learn about Varta from the common people in their region.
Apart from the above works, texts such as Yajnavalkya Smriti and Shukra Neeti underscore the significance of learning Varta, for the kings.

The topic “Importance of Varta for kings in ancient India” is a vast one; all its points cannot be covered in a brief write-up. Yet, a sincere attempt has been made to include the major aspects of the subject at hand.