A set of five copper plates dating to the Vakataka dynasty has been discovered in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, containing a lost text titled Advaita-Prakriya. Unlike most philosophical treatises of the 5th century which focus on metaphysical liberation, this text applies Advaita (non-dualist) principles to the realm of statecraft and social ethics. It argues that because the same consciousness resides in all beings, a ruler's primary duty is the elimination of social hierarchy in the administration of justice.
The plates describe a 'Philosophy of Equal Regard,' which mandates that the king must view the suffering of the lowest citizen as identical to his own. This provides a radical new perspective on the practical application of Vedanta in early Indian history. The inscriptions are being hailed as a major breakthrough in the study of ancient political philosophy, showing that non-dualism had deep roots in social reform long before the medieval period.