The Coinage System in the Arthasastra and Commentarial Strategies in the Canakyatika by Bhiksu Prabhamati: Issues on the Textual Authorityof Manu's Code

摘要

The Canakyatika by Bhiksu Prabhamati is a Sanskrit commentary on the Arthasastra (1~(st)— 3~(rd) century ce), the most celebrated Sanskrit text on governance. The Canakyatika has not yet been fully studied nor translated into English. This paper presents the first English translation and analysis of the passages in which Prabhamati comments upon the activities of the "superintendent of the mint" (laksanadhyaksa) and of the "examiner of coins" (rupadarsaka). His exposition on Arthasastra 2.12.24—23 provides an interesting example of what can be defined as a "textual variation"; by means of commentarial techniques and literary devices the author stretches the structure of the root-text. On the basis of a broad analysis, this research demonstrates that the commentator quotes a passage on the coinage system from an unnamed source which, I shall argue, is the authoritative treatise on law Manava Dharmasastra (2nd - 3~(rd) century CE). This represents further evidence of the relationship between the Arthasastra and Manu's code. Finally, I shall suggest Bhiksu Prabhamati's date and place of origin.