Artha

This Book by Dr. Madhusudan Chansarkar former Vice Chancellor of Nagpur University is a unique contribution to the discovery of Science of Oriental Economics. The author has given original interpretation of ancient texts and has successfully decoded the mystic language providing new and depended insight into the theories of ancient economists. He has made pioneering contribution in the creation of economic models by combining three propellers of growth with three modes of living, which shaped ancient economic life in the east. Here is a path breaking economic interpretation of the Karma Theory, Superimposition Theory, Theory of Work Worship, Aum Tat Sat, etc., as enunciated by oriental thinkers.

Further the book presents a penetrating analysis of the principles of costless production (Yajnya), priceless distribution (Dan) & Greedless consumption (Tapah) which represented in ancient days the austirity school of thought as against the “Production maximizing school” of Karma Theory which promoted the concept of impersonal wealth. In support of the perception and perpetuation theories of poverty, the author has presented an original model of ‘dragon and the sea of misery’ applicable to totalitarian and democratic methods of economic development.

The question of environment has been discussed in chapter entitled ‘Vasundhara’, while ancient approach to population problem has been elucidated in chapter “The Inverted Tree.” Discussing about economics of war & peace, the author has briefly touched economic teachings of Buddha, while a separate chapter deals with ‘economics without violence.’ Today, there is a lot of discussion about free economy. This has been highlighted in the context of Sanskrit sutras in chapter ‘A Truly Free Economy’. Finally, suggestions have been offered for a New World Economic Order necessary for elimination of misery and poverty in the world.

This book in the outcome of twenty five years of incisive analysis of the dynamics of development as theorised by ancient Rishis to shower affluence on the society. The book begins with the discussion of two economic tendencies of gaining and preserving, inherent in man and the two alternatives available to him, i.e. to maximize production or to minimize wants. According to the author, the oriental thinkers clearly opted for the school supporting the maximization theory. The book presents a daringly different approach to development process at this time when the U.N. and other translational bodies are actively engaged in a search for a new national & international alternative.