Niti Shastra

(“instructions on diplomacy”) General
name for a genre of instruction that
taught politically astute behaviors, such
as making friends and allegiances,
intimidating one’s enemies, and knowing who can be trusted. This was a recognized branch of learning in the
traditional Hindu sciences, and was
taught to influential and royal families,
for whom knowing the real workings
of the world was considered essential
to fulfilling their social functions. The
fables of the Panchatantra convey
these hard-edged lessons on selfinterest and caution through the use of
animal characters.