Well while thinking about Economics and Economists the names comes to people's mind are mostly of Kaliyuga's people because most of the people don't know that great economists existed before Kaliyuga also and one such economist is none other than the greatest warrior of Mahabharata Arjuna ! Yes Arjuna wasn't only the greatest archer but also one of the greatest economists and capitalists of Mahabharata. Mahabharata is filled with statements of Arjuna and other people which reflected the knowledge of Arjuna regarding economics and his approach towards economy. Here are those statements
1). Arjuna emphasized on the importance of Agriculture, trade, animal husbandry and other industries for the growth and development of economy. He also explained the importance of Artha
Shanti Parva, Chapter No.161, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation
‘When he stopped, the attentive Partha, who knew the true words about artha, spoke. “O king! This world is the arena of action and such conduct is praised—agriculture, trade, animal husbandry and
many kinds of artisanship. Among all these tasks, there is nothing that transcends the need for artha. The sacred texts have said that without artha, dharma and kama cannot occur. A victorious person obtains artha and can pursue supreme dharma. He is capable of following kama, which is difficult for
those with unclean souls to pursue. The sacred texts say that dharma and kama take the form of artha. These two can be attained through the successful acquisition of artha. Those who have been born in superior lineages surround the man who possesses artha, just as the beings always worship Brahma.
2). While explaining the importance of Artha, Arjuna beautifully emphasized on employee management ( No doubt Arjuna had great knowledge of HR Management also )
Shanti Parva, Chapter No. 161, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation
A person who possesses artha can maintain his servants in pleasure and exert the rod against his enemies. O best among intelligent ones! That is the
reason my view is accurate.
3) According to Arjuna, nothing in the world was superior to wealth
Shanti Parva, Chapter No. 20, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation
Devasthana spoke appropriate words in reply to Yudhishthira. “Phalguna spoke words to the effect that there is nothing superior to wealth. Listen attentively as I explain this to you. O Ajatashatru! You
have conquered the entire earth through dharma
4). According to Arjuna, accumulation of wealth was done by learned ones
Shanti Parva, Chapter No. 8, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation
The learned ones have said that one must study the three kinds of knowledge and always make efforts to accumulate wealth and perform sacrifices.
5). Arjuna hated poverty the most and he explained like an intelligent Capitalist that why being rich is very important in the world
Shanti Parva, Chapter No. 08, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation
O king! Who amongst us will pardon an act of our riches being robbed? If a poor person stands next to one’s own self, that poor person is abused. Poverty
causes degradation in this world and you should not praise it. O king! One who is degraded sorrows. One who is poor sorrows. I cannot see any difference between one who is degraded and one who is poor. Here and there, all the rites are extended and accumulated through wealth, like streams flowing
down mountains. O lord of men! Dharma, kama and heaven result from artha. Without artha, the world will not be able to sustain its life. Like an inferior river during the summer, all the rites of a person with limited intelligence are destroyed in the absence of wealth. One who possesses riches possesses friends. One who possesses riches possesses relatives. One who possesses riches is a man
in this world. One who possesses riches is learned. A person who doesn’t possess riches is incapable of obtaining riches only by desiring it. Riches follow riches, like elephants follow mighty elephants. O lord of men! Dharma, kama, heaven, delight, anger, learning, self-control—all of these
result from artha. The lineage is extended because of artha. Dharma is spread because of riches
6). One of the names of Arjuna was Dhananjaya because he had obtained the wealth of all the countries
Virata Parva, Chapter No.39, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation
‘Arjuna replied, “I have conquered all the countries and obtained all their wealth. I stand in
the midst of riches. That is the reason I am known as Dhananjaya.
So by reading all the references provided here, it can be safely concluded that India has not only the first scientists, engineers and doctors but also the first economists and capitalists of the world. Arjuna was one of the greatest economists and capitalists of Mahabharata.
-Avenger
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