Abstract:
The conflicts are general features of the active societies. Human
beings have used many resolution methods to conciliate them. Therefore,
they can be divided into two main groups as Traditional approach and
Modern approach. The Sanskrit Hitopadeśa which was used to teach
‘nītiśāstra’ has also given attention to maintain peace in the society and to
conciliate the conflicts. Therefore, the objective of this research is to examine
the conflict resolution methods of the Hitopadeśa. To achieve this, studying
literary resources (ancient and modern) is used as the methodology. The
central idea of it is that if there is a conflict somewhere because of certain
cause certainly there is a resolution for it. Therefore, the solution must be
given to that first cause. Hence, to resolve the conflicts the Hitopadeśa
recommends many methods and techniques. It describes the diplomatic and
human relations in the general society, using the jungle as a background,
animals as the characters and stories as the medium of the teachings. The
traditional approach is the main approach recommended by Hitopadeśa very
often but modern approach also can be seen in several times. Hitopadeśa has
used many stories to prove it. But, indeed, the same method can’t be applied
for all conflicts. Therefore, Hitopadeśa recommends some other approaches
also. Negotiation, facts-finding, conciliation, mediation, facilitation,
arbitration are some of them which included the modern approach. The
technique of mediation is the other method, it recommends frequently. The
qualifications of the mediators, specially, of the diplomatists are also
described deeply. Hitopadeśa describes many harmonizations called ‘sandhi’
in the ending of it and it appreciates the ‘upahāra sandhi.’ In conclusion, it is
clear that the Hitopadeśa has considered about the conflict resolution in
many ways.
