Who is the author of “Nitishtak”?

Bhartrihari was an ancient Indian philosopher, grammarian, and poet who lived around the 5th century CE. He is traditionally attributed to three major works: Shringara Shataka (poetry on the theme of love and beauty), Vairagya Shataka (poetry on the theme of dispassion and renunciation), and Niti Shataka (poetry on the theme of ethics and morality).

The “Niti Shataka” is a collection of verses that offer insights into worldly wisdom, ethical conduct, and practical philosophy. It provides guidance on various aspects of life, including governance, friendship, and human behavior. While there is some debate among scholars about the authorship of these works and whether they were all composed by the same Bhartrihari, traditionally they are attributed to a single figure named Bhartrihari.

It’s important to note that Bhartrihari’s life and works are shrouded in some historical ambiguity, and the exact details may not be accurately known. The three Shatakas (collections of hundred verses each) are considered his major contributions to Sanskrit literature, and they continue to be studied for their philosophical and literary value.