Capsule : Vedic Economics and Strategic Management

Based on Vedas and Kauṭilya’s Arthaśāstra
Total Duration: 6 Hours (6 Modules × 1 Hour each)
Target Audience:
Students of Economics, Management, Public Administration, Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), Civil Services Aspirants, Policy Thinkers, and Corporate Leaders interested in indigenous frameworks.

Course Rationale

The Arthaśāstra of Kauṭilya (Chanakya) represents one of the world’s earliest and most comprehensive treatises on economics, governance, administration, and management. Far from being merely a political manual, it presents an integrated vision of wealth creation (artha), ethical governance (dharma), and statecraft (rājyaśāstra), rooted in realism, accountability, and social welfare.
This capsule course introduces participants to the economic philosophy, administrative systems, and managerial principles embedded in the Arthaśāstra, and explores their relevance to modern economics and management.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the conceptual foundations of Vedic–economic thought
• Explain Kauṭilya’s theory of state, wealth, and welfare
• Relate Arthaśāstra principles to modern management, governance, and policy
• Critically evaluate indigenous alternatives to Western economic models

Module Structure

Module 1 (1 Hour)

Foundations of Vedic Economic Thought

Key Themes:

• Meaning of Artha in Indian thought: beyond wealth accumulation
• Relationship between Dharma, Artha, Kāma, and Mokṣa
• Economic ideas in the Vedas, Brāhmaṇas, and Upaniṣads (brief overview)
• Place of Arthaśāstra in the Indian knowledge tradition

Key Concepts:
Rita, Dharma, Lokasaṅgraha, social welfare

Learning Focus:
Understanding economics as a moral and social discipline, not merely a market mechanism.

Module 2 (1 Hour)

Kauṭilya’s Economic Vision and Theory of the State

Key Themes:

• The Saptāṅga theory of the state
• Role of the king as trustee, not owner of resources
• State responsibility in wealth creation and redistribution
• Agriculture, land management, and irrigation as economic foundations

Managerial Insight:
Leadership as accountability + competence + welfare orientation

Module 3 (1 Hour)

Public Finance, Taxation, and Revenue Administration

Key Themes:

• Sources of state revenue in the Arthaśāstra
• Principles of taxation: moderation, fairness, and sustainability
• Tax compliance and prevention of evasion
• Budgeting, expenditure control, and treasury management

Modern Parallels:
Fiscal responsibility, progressive taxation, welfare economics

Module 4 (1 Hour)

Market Regulation, Trade, and Economic Justice

Key Themes:

• Regulation of markets (paṇyādhikṛta)
• Price control, quality standards, weights and measures
• Role of the state in preventing hoarding, profiteering, and monopolies
• Internal and external trade policies

Management Insight:
Ethical regulation vs. laissez-faire economics

Module 5 (1 Hour)

Vedic Management Principles in the Arthaśāstra

Key Themes:

• Recruitment, training, and evaluation of officials
• Performance-based accountability
• Anti-corruption mechanisms and surveillance
• Decision-making, crisis management, and risk assessment

Management Concepts:

• Governance ethics
• Systems thinking
• Organizational discipline

Case Reflection:
Comparing Kauṭilyan management with modern corporate governance

Module 6 (1 Hour)

Contemporary Relevance and Applied Perspectives

Key Themes:

• Arthaśāstra and modern public administration
• Indigenous management models vs. Western frameworks
• Relevance to sustainable development and welfare state
• Lessons for corporate leadership, startups, and policy design

Concluding Reflection:
Can Arthaśāstra inform a post-globalization economic ethic?

Pedagogy

• Illustrated lectures
• Short textual readings (translated excerpts from Arthaśāstra)
• Comparative discussions with modern economics and management
• Case-based reflection

Suggested Reading (Selective)

• Kauṭilya, Arthaśāstra : Prof. Ravi Prakash Arya translation)

Assessment (Optional for Certification)

• Short reflective essay (500–700 words)
• Concept-based MCQs
• Group discussion / presentation

• Course Fees: 

  The Course Registration Fee is  USD 25. 

  At VSVV, we support excellence by providing merit-based scholarships and fee waivers to deserving students. If you need  fee waiver or scholarship, apply here.   Application for Fee waiver or Scholarship

  Course Start Dates:

  All digital correspondence and video courses will be offered four times a year, scheduled in alignment with the Vedic Calendar.

  1. Uttarāyaṇa Period (Winter Solstice):  Dec. 21 to  20 March

  2. Devayāna Period (Vernal Equinox): 21 March to 20 June

  3. Dakṣiṇāyana Period (Summer Solstice): 21 June to 22 Sept.

  4. Pitṛyāna period (Autumn Equinox): 23 Sept. to 20 Dec.

  Note: Course access will remain open only for the specified duration. Participants are advised to complete and access all course materials within this period, as access will not be available once the course window closes.

  Registration will  open soon

   Those who want to participate in the course can register hereunder: