Matsya Nyaya (Sanskrit: मात्स्यन्याय mātsyanyāya) is an ancient Indian philosophy which refers to the principle of the Law of Fish. It is described as the fundamental law of nature explained by the proverb of the big fish devouring the smaller fish, hence strong devour the weak. It can be equated to the 'Law of Jungle'. In simple words, The strong dominates over the weak when there is disorder.[1]
The ancient Indian philosopher Chanakya, who was also the chief advisor of the Mauryan emperor Chandragupta Maurya used this theory in his treatise Arthashastra to describe why a state should enhance its size and security. According to Chanakya, size enhances security and the objective is to consolidate one’s strength at the expense of other powers because given the absence of an overriding international body of law that ensures every king’s right to exist, irrespective of size, the vijigishu (King) is truly living in a system of Matsya-Nyaya, a system in which it is every man for himself.[2]
In absence of government or rule of law, the human society will degenerate into a state of anarchy in which the strong will destroy or exploit the weak much like how bigger fish eat smaller fish. So according to this philosophy, the theory of government was based on a belief in the innate depravity of man. In other words, this theory proposes that government, rulers and laws are necessary to prevent this natural law of 'Matsya Nyaya' from operating in human society. Hence this explains why there is a need for a government and laws to be in place.
| Arthashastra 1.4.13-14 |
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| अप्रणीतः तु मात्स्यन्यायं उद्भावयति । बलीयान् अबलं हि ग्रसते दण्डधराभावे । |
| But when the law of punishment is kept in abeyance, it gives rise to such disorder as is implied in the proverb of fishes (matsyanyayamudbhavayati); for in the absence of a magistrate (dandadharabhave), the strong will swallow the weak; but under his protection, the weak resist the strong. |