Trayī refers to the three Vedas and the body of sacred knowledge governing ritual, moral order, and cosmic harmony. In Kauṭilya’s political thought, trayī provides the normative foundation of society, legitimizing authority and sustaining social cohesion.

However, he does not elevate it above other sciences. Instead, trayī is positioned as one component within a broader epistemic framework. Its role is to uphold dharma, regulate social conduct, and maintain continuity with civilizational values. Kauṭilya’s treatment of trayī is notably pragmatic. He values it for its stabilizing function rather than its metaphysical claims. Rituals, sacrifices, and moral injunctions help maintain obedience, hierarchy, and social discipline, which are indispensable for political order.

Yet, Kauṭilya resists sacerdotal dominance and insists that ritual knowledge must serve the interests of the state. Trayī, when detached from practical governance, becomes sterile or even disruptive. Thus, the king must respect and support Vedic institutions while ensuring they do not obstruct economic productivity or security imperatives. Kauṭilya’s nuanced positioning of trayī reflects his broader synthesis of tradition and realism, where sacred knowledge supports but does not override political reason.

Reference: Kangle, R. P. (2010). The Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra, Part II: An English Translation with Critical and Explanatory Notes. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. Book I, Chapter 1, Sūtra 2.