CHANAKYA'S
EDUCATION
Rishi Canak named his son as
"Chanakya". Being a teacher himself, he knew the importance of
education. Taxila was one of the world centers for education. At a very early
age little Chanakya started studying Vedas. The Vedas; considered to be the
toughest scriptures to study were completely studied and memorized by Chanakya
in his infancy. He was attracted to studies in politics. In politics Chanakya’s
acumen and shrewdness was visible right from childhood. He was a student of
politics
right from child hood. Known as a masterful political strategist, He knew how to put his own people in the opposite camp and spy the enemy without his knowledge before destroying him forever. Chanakya was an ace in turning tables in his favor irrespective of the circumstances. He never budged to pressure tactics by the ruthless politicians. In this way after studying religion and politics, he turned his attention to economics, which remained his lifelong friend. "Nitishastra", a treatise on the ideal way of life shows his in depth study of the Indian way of life.
right from child hood. Known as a masterful political strategist, He knew how to put his own people in the opposite camp and spy the enemy without his knowledge before destroying him forever. Chanakya was an ace in turning tables in his favor irrespective of the circumstances. He never budged to pressure tactics by the ruthless politicians. In this way after studying religion and politics, he turned his attention to economics, which remained his lifelong friend. "Nitishastra", a treatise on the ideal way of life shows his in depth study of the Indian way of life.
Life
as a student
Takshashila, (later corrupted as
Taxila),one of the topmost centers of education at that time in India became
Chanakya’s breeding ground of acquiring knowledge in the practical and
theoretical aspect. The teachers were highly knowledgeable who used to teach
sons of kings. It is said that a certain teacher had 101 students and all of
them were princes! The university at Taxila was well versed in teaching the
subjects using the best of practical knowledge acquired by the teachers. The
age of entering the university was sixteen. The branches of studies most sought
after in around India ranged from law, medicine, warfare and other indigenous
forms of learning. The four Vedas, archery, hunting, elephant-lore and 18 arts
were taught at the university of Taxila. So prominent was the place where
Chanakya received his education that it goes to show the making of the genius.
The very requirements of admission filtered out the outlawed and people with
lesser credentials.
After acquiring vast knowledge in
various branches of study he wanted everybody to get benefited. He believed in
the broadcasting of knowledge and not in the storage of it. So famous was
Chanakya in the vicinity of the university that he had many nicknames. He was
called variously by different people, namely – Vishnugupta, Kautilya and
Chanakya. The whole nation was bewildered by the cleverness and wit of this
seemingly small boy who went on to single handedly unify the country with the
sheer power of his character. He lived his life working to his capacity in
pursuit of his vision of a happy strong and prosperous India.
Taxila
University
At a time when the Dark Ages were
looming large, the existence of a university of Taxila’s grandeur really makes
India stand apart way ahead of the European countries who struggled with
ignorance and total information blackout. For the Indian subcontinent Taxila
stood as a light house of higher knowledge and pride of India. In the present
day world, Taxila is situated in Pakistan at a place called Rawalpindi. The
university accommodated more than 10,000 students at a time. The university
offered courses spanning a period of more than eight years. The students were
admitted after graduating from their own countries. Aspiring students opted for
elective subjects going for in depth studies in specialized branches of
learning. After graduating from the university, the students are recognized as
the best scholars in the subcontinent. It became a cultural heritage as time
passed. Taxila was the junction where people of different origins mingled with
each other and exchanged knowledge of their countries.
The university was famous as
"Taxila" university, named after the city where it was situated. The
king and rich people of the region used to donate lavishly for the development
of the university. In the religious scriptures also, Taxila is mentioned as the
place where the king of snakes, Vasuki selected Taxila for the dissemination of
knowledge on earth.
Here it would be essential to
mention briefly the range of subjects taught in the university of Taxila. (1)
Science, (2) Philosophy, (3) Ayurveda, (4) Grammar of various languages, (5)
Mathematics, (6) Economics, (7) Astrology, (8) Geography, (9) Astronomy, (10)
Surgical science, (11) Agricultural sciences, (12) Archery and Ancient and
Modern Sciences.
The university also used to conduct
researches on various subjects.
COMMOTION
IN TAXILA
Gandhar Republic was not able to
come out of the shock of the comprehensive defeat at the hands of the province
of Porus, when a new contingency starred in the eyes of Taxila. Thousands of
refugees poured in Taxila as a result of the widespread attacks of the armies
of Alexander. These people were not productive for the state as they didn’t
come to Taxila to acquire knowledge or in search of jobs. They didn’t have
money or any kind of assets to buy themselves the essential commodities. To
resolve the problem, a meeting was convened by the rulers of the neighboring
countries and the king of Taxila. The knowledgeable people who gathered to give
their opinions on the problem faced by Taxila, gave out their suggestions. At
the end of the meeting, it was decided that the refugees must be given cover
under humanitarian grounds. So, in line with the decision taken, a stretch of
land outside Taxila was allotted for the refugees. They were allowed to enter
Taxila after proving their identity with the sentry. In this way what appeared
to be a calamity was appeased without much ado. The incident was just a
precursor to a series of events which reverberated across India as a result
of the attacks of Alexander.
of the attacks of Alexander.
...MOVE
TOWARDS PATLIPUTRA
Though Chanakya was just a professor
in the Taxila University which seemed to be far away from the happenings in the
country, he actually was able to influence the governments in a big way. His
students looked at him as an ideal teacher who inspired and exemplified great
knowledge. His students respected him and were ready to fight at any moment at
his orders. Two of his students who have been mentioned at various instances
were Bhadrabhatt and Purushdutt. In the events that unfolded in the life of
Chanakya, these two played a pivotal role in the achievement of his goals. It
is rumored that they acted as spies for Chanakya, collecting information about
his enemies.
Somehow, Chanakya came to know that
there was a chance of foreign invasion. Europe’s great warrior Salukes was
readying his armies to attack the weakened republics of India. There were grave
designs threatening the unity and integrity of the nation. In such a scenario
the ruler of Patliputra, Mahanand was squeezing the common man of his wealth
with an object of enriching his own exchequer. Chanakya was aware of the
internal and external threats of the country. On the one hand, the rulers of
the neighboring countries were looking for the slightest of chance to annex the
prosperous regions of the country and on the other hand, foreign invaders
started moving towards the country with an expectation of easily smothering the
country. These thoughts gave Chanakya sleepless nights. He envisioned his
country clutched in the chains of slavery and defeated because of internal
squabbles and differences. So he decided on the historical day, thus saying,
"Now the time has come to leave
the university. The scrupulous rulers of the country must be uprooted and there
is a need to strengthen the country politically and economically. My first and
foremost duty is to save the country of the foreign invaders and salvage this
dangerous proposition."
With these thoughts in mind, he left
Taxila University for Patliputra which paved the way for watershed changes in
the politics of India and Patliputra.
PATLIPUTRA
– THE CITY OF FORTUNES.
Patliputra, (presently known as
Patna) has been historically a very important city politically and
strategically. Like Delhi, Patliputra has seen the ups and downs of development
and great reversals. The well known Chinese traveler Fahian, who visited the
city in 399 BC described it as prosperous city endowed with rich natural
resources. At the same time, another Chinese traveler Huen sang described it as
a city of rubbles and ruins.
Shishunagvanshi established the city
on the southern bank of the Ganges. It was addressed with different names at
different times. To. illustrate a few names, Pushpapur, Pushpanagar, Patliputra
and Patna.
The city was industrious in
producing essential commodities and luxurious goods for the rich. When Chanakya
entered the city, it was known for respecting knowledgeable people and
scholars. The intellectuals from across the country were warmly invited for the
intercourse of new ideas and development of the state. It was virtually the
city of fortunes as it recognized the true talent and rewarded richly for the
work done by an individual. No wonder Chanakya decided to start his glorious
campaign from Patliputra.
"I
WILL DESTROY YOU"
Dhanananda, the ruler of Patliputra
was unscrupulous and cruel by nature. He was always busy gathering money
without thinking about consequences. He was always dissatisfied with the amount
of money he had. Collecting taxes exorbitantly, he was a villain in the public
eye. There was public outrage on the taxes which were collected on unwanted
things. The main aim of collecting taxes was to serve the selfish interests of
the king. There were taxes on hides, tax on wood and tax even on stone! The
amount of money which Dhanananda had was unimaginable.
When Chanakya arrived at Patliputra,
there was a change in the way he ran his kingdom. He gave gifts to the poor and
was on the way of becoming lenient in administration. He had formed a trust or
committee to administer his gifts and charities. The committee was headed by
scholars and influential people of the society. It is said that the president
had the powers to make up to ten million gold coins.
Since Chanakya was a great scholar
from Taxila, he was included in the committee for charity. Chanakya later on
became the president of the ‘Sungha’ (Trust). The Sungha used to help the king
in the distribution of the money allotted for charity to the different sections
of the society. In the process of delegation of the funds for charity, the
president of the trust had to meet the king frequently. When Chanakya met the
king for the first time, he was disgusted at the ugly appearance of Chanakya.
As time passed he developed contempt for Chanakya. There was no refinement in
words and conduct. To increase the fire between Dhanananda and Chanakya, the
courtiers dissuaded the king from having a cordial relationship with Chanakya.
Chanakya acted like a thorough professional and avoided praising the king. He
always spoke bluntly and tersely. The king did not like the way Chanakya
behaved with him. The king removed Chanakya from the post of president without
any reasons. Chanakya was enraged at the proposition of being exploited by the
less knowledgeable king. So, he erupted like a volcano on the king, and said,
" Arrogance in you has eroded the respect which I had for you. You have
removed me from the presidentship for no fault of mine. You can’t act in a way
detrimental to the demeanor of a king. You think there is none to question you?
You have removed me from my rightful place and I will dethrone you !"
CHANAKYA
MEETS CHANDRAGUPTA
Just after getting humiliated from
the king, Chanakya scampered through the streets of Patliputra. In a hurried
walk, he stumbled upon a stump of grass and was about to fall. Chanakya the
great scholar had his own style of handling things. He looked at the roots of
the grass and quickly got into action. Though he was angry, he never let his
anger to get out of control. He directed the anger in the right direction.
Calmly, he sat down in the burning sun, removed that grass from the roots from
the earth. After making sure that not even a single strand of grass is left, he
resumed his journey.
While Chanakya was engrossed in
removing the grass from the ground, a young man was closely watching the act of
Chanakya. The young man was Chandragupta, the would be emperor of the Mauryan
Empire. He looked bright. Looking at the determination of Chanakya, he was
impressed and wanted to talk to the knowledgeable man.
He went to Chanakya, addressed him
respectfully, and took him into the choultry. Chanakya asked him about his
family background beginning his talk by asking, "Who are you? You seem to
be worried."
The young man stepped forward with
great reverence and said, "Sir, my name is Chandragupta. Yes, you are
correct I am in great trouble but should I trouble you with my worries?"
Chanakya calmed down the young man
by saying, "You can tell me about your troubles with freewill and without
any ambiguities. If I am capable enough, I’ll definitely help you."
"I am the grandson of king
Sarvarthasiddhi, He had two wives, Sunandadevi and Muradevi. Sunanda got nine
sons called the Navanandas. Mura, had only one which was my father. The Nandas
tried to kill my father time and again. We were more than hundred brothers. The
Nandas out of jealousy, tried to kill all of us. Somehow I survived and I am
totally disgusted with my life. I want to take revenge on the Nandas who are
ruling over the country presently."
Chanakya who was freshly wounded by
the Nandas found a companion to destroy the distraught king. Chanakya was
greatly moved by the tale of woe. He was emotionally charged listening to the
story of Chandragupta and vowed to destroy the Nandas and get Chandragupta his
rightful place as a king of Patliputra. Chanakya said "I will get you the
kingship, Chandragupta. From that day on Chanakya and Chandragupta worked in
tandem to destroy the corrupt and unscrupulous rule of the Nandas.
Chandragupta has not been well
documented. The place of birth, family background and several details regarding
his life are not available. Several things have been said and written about his
family and parents. Probably, he belonged to the Moria community. He might have
got the name Chandragupta Maurya afterwards and his royal lineage was known as
the Maurya dynasty. His mother was perhaps the daughter of a village headman.
His father was the king of a forest area called Pippatavana, who died in a war.
Chandragupta came to Patliputra along with his mother.
As a boy Chandragupta was a born
leader. Even as a boy, he was accepted as a leader by all. As a boy he used to
mimic the king’ court. His bravery and shrewdness were visible right from
childhood. As Chanakya was moving along the streets of Patliputra, he saw
little Chandragupta enacting the king. Sitting on the large throne, the little
boy shouted against injustice and corrupt practices of the kings and people in
general. Looking at the bright face of Chandragupta, he was impressed at the
intellect and wisdom in the boy’s voice. For seven or eight years Chandragupta
had his education there, and that too with selected teachers shortlisted by
Chanakya himself. The art of warfare and the art of governance were mastered by
Chandragupta with equal expertise.
THE
GREEK INVADER
The relationship between
Chandragupta and Chanakya bloomed through the years developing into a strong
force for their enemies. Most of the historical events took place right under
the eyes of Chanakya and Chandragupta. The troops of Alexander and the umpteen
number of invaders who ravaged the subcontinent for decades around India. It is
said that Chandragupta met Alexander. The bold and arrogant talk by
Chandragupta enraged Alexander as a result of which Chandragupta was arrested.
Chanakya’s training to Chandragupta was over by now and he thought it to be the
right occasion to let Chandragupta taste the practical aspect of warfare.
Chanakya closely observed the movement and strategies employed by Alexander. He
also became aware of the weaknesses of the Indian rulers.
FREEDOM
FROM THE GREEKS
The rustic boy that Chandragupta
was, now had matured into a sound military commander. The source of strength
for Chandragupta and his army was the power of mind and the towering
personality of Chanakya. In that war of independence for northern India,
Chandragupta was the physical instrument, while its thinking brain was
Chanakya.
The deterioration of the prowess of
Alexander happened because of the weakening of Satraps or the commanding
officers. Niccosar, a Satrap was killed even when Alexander was alive. Another
formidable Satrap called Philip, was killed weakening Alexander like never
before. After Alexander’s death in Babylon, all his Satraps were either killed
or dislodged , one by one. Alexander’s lieutenants divided his empire among
themselves in 321 BC. No realm east of the Indus – the River Sindhu was mentioned
in that settlement. It meant that the Greeks themselves had accepted that this
region had gone out of their rule.
DEFEAT
OF THE NANDA KING
Before defeating the Nandas,
Chanakya had to employ various strategies before victory. Chanakya firstly
tested the policy of attacking the core of the city. The policy met with
defeats again and again. With the change in strategy, Chanakya and Chandragupta
began the attack on the borders of the Magadha Empire. Again there were
mistakes. The troops were not stationed in the areas conquered. So when they
marched forward, the people of the conquered areas joined together again and
encircled their army. Thus those who had been defeated had to be fought again
and again
Chandragupta and Chanakya learnt
lessons from these mistakes. They now stationed troops in the conquered
regions. So those enemies would not raise and cause any trouble. Chanakya with
his cleverness had earlier won the friendship of king Parvataka (or Porus
Second). Now Parvataka, his brother Vairochaka and son Malayeketu came with
their armies to help them. The Nanda king had the support of a big army. The
other equally important support was the guidance of his very able minister,
Amatya Rakshasa. This minister was very intelligent and had unlimited loyalty
to the king. Chanakya knew that getting Amatya out of his way was the only way
of defeating King Nanda. Chanakya devised a plan which involved planting of
spies in the enemy camp. In a very short span of time, the weaknesses of the
Nandas became visible. Parallely, the Nandas and Amatya Rakshasa made plans to
counter any attacks by Chanakya.
Details are not available regarding
the war between the Nandas on the one hand and Chandragupta and Chanakya on the
other. But it was a keen and bitter fight. The Nanda king died. His sons and
relatives also died. Even Amatya Rakshasa was helpless. Chandragupta was
victorious proving the foresight of Chanakya regarding his abilities. The old
king and his wife retired to the forest. It is said that after sometime Chanakya
had the old king and his wife killed , because he thought that if Amatya
Rakshasa made them take a son by the rights of adoption, there would be
claimants to the throne. He wanted the lineage of the Nandas should be totally
eliminated.
THE
TRUE ASPECT OF CHANAKYA
The momentous life of Chanakya
reminds us of a revengeful saga where the individual is obsessed by the idea of
taking revenge. But personal revenge was not the aim of Chanakya. He wanted
that the kingdom should be secure and that the administration should go on
smoothly, bringing happiness to the people. He thought that there were two ways
of ensuring the happiness of the people. Firstly, Amatya Rakshasa had to be
made Chandragupta’s minister; Secondly, a book must be written, laying down how
a king should conduct himself, how he should protect himself and the kingdom
from the enemies, how to ensure law and order, and so on.
By writing "Arthashastra"
and "Nitishastra", Chanakya has become a
never ending phenomena. He has truly guided the generations with his
wisdom . It would ideally suit the closing of the life of Chanakya with a
couple of quotations by Chanakya
never ending phenomena. He has truly guided the generations with his
wisdom . It would ideally suit the closing of the life of Chanakya with a
couple of quotations by Chanakya
"The secret task of a king is
to strive for the welfare of his people incessantly.
The administration of the kingdom is his religious duty. His greatest gift would
be to treat all as equals."
The administration of the kingdom is his religious duty. His greatest gift would
be to treat all as equals."
"The happiness of the commoners
is the happiness of the king. Their
welfare is his welfare. A king should never think of his personal interest
or welfare, but should try to find his joy in the joy of his subjects."
welfare is his welfare. A king should never think of his personal interest
or welfare, but should try to find his joy in the joy of his subjects."
These words were written 2300 years
ago by Chanakya, the expert
statesman and wise sage. And Chanakya is also another name for
courage and perseverance.
___________________________________
statesman and wise sage. And Chanakya is also another name for
courage and perseverance.
___________________________________
Who was Chanakya?
For centuries to come and the
centuries that went by, which recorded in history talking of the great men and
legendary characters who shaped time through their vision and exemplary
actions. Chanakya, perhaps is the only personality who has been accepted and
revered as a genius both by Indian and Western scholars. He is a historical
milestone in the making of India amidst tremendous upheavals and myriad’s of
reversals. Celebrated as a shrewd statesman and a ruthless administrator, he
comes across as the greatest of diplomats of the world. He had the guts to
speak his heart out even in front of the rulers, which shows his strong
inclination to democratic values and the audacity to put his views through.
Although, he lived around the third century BC, his ideas and principles show
concurrence and validity in the present day world. Politics was his forte.
Diplomacy in a politically charged environment shows his self-confidence and
the ability to stay calm in trying situations.
His foresight and wide knowledge
coupled with politics of expediency founded the mighty Mauryan Empire in India.
He was a great laureate of economics with a glittering intellect to perceive
the intricate dynamics of the various economic activities and principles.
The centuries that succeeded him
show distinct effects of his thoughts on the way a kingdom is managed and other
facets of economic administration. Even today, one of his maxims on taxation is
very much alive and calls for adherence by the governments of the world.
According to Chanakya, "Taxation should not be a painful process for the
people. There should be leniency and caution while deciding the tax structure.
Ideally, governments should collect taxes like a honeybee, which sucks just the
right amount of honey from the flower so that both can survive. Taxes should be
collected in small and not in large proportions".
Chanakya, apart from being a man of
wisdom and unfailing strategies, propounded Nitishastra, the ideal way of
living for every individual of the society. He looked at the country like a
person surrounded by problems. He worked at the total annihilation of problems
by the roots. The re-appearance of troubles only shows its growth. His
contribution to foreign policy in the present day world is immense.
Universities teach his principles to aspiring foreign policy experts showing
the infallability of his principles. Chanakya’s art of diplomacy is well known
across India and practiced in the areas of defence, strategy formation and
foreign relations.
Quite remarkably, long before
Clausewitz came up with the quote, which said "War is only the continuance
of state policy by other means", Chanakya had already written it in his
book ‘Chanakyaniti’. Most of his views were so farsighted that they appeared to
be prophesies. Talking on diverse subjects such as corruption, he commented
very rightly, "It’s just as difficult to detect an official’s dishonesty
as it is to discover how much water is drunk by the swimming fish".
As a person, Chanakya has been
described variously, as a saint, as a ‘ruthless administrator’, as the ‘king
maker’, a devoted nationalist, a selfless ascetic and a person devoid of all
morals. He created controversy by saying ‘The ends justify the means’ and the
ruler should use any means to attain his goals and his actions required no
moral sanctions. All his written works namely, ‘Arthashastra’, ‘Nitishastra’
and ‘Chanakyaniti’ were unique because of their rational approach and an
unabashed advocacy of real politic. His views were dimensionally novel. He
recommended even espionage and the liberal use of provocative agents as
machineries of the state. In politics, he even attested the use of false
accusations and killings by a king’s secret agent without any ambiguities. The
observance of morals and ethics was secondary to the interests of the ruler.
Some of his stark views made him into an ambivalent personality for the world.
This great statesman and philosopher
has been often compared to Machiavelli, Aristotle and Plato, exemplifying his
potentiality and influential status. He has been criticized for his
ruthlessness and trickery and praised for his profound political wisdom.
Chanakya, the timeless man, was in pursuit of truth fearlessly 2000 years ago
and was proved right with Vivekanand’s words, "Arise, Awake, Sleep not
till the goal is reached".
His Dreams.
Chanakya envisioned India as a
nation which would place itself as the forerunner – politically, economically
and socially. His magnum opus, "Arthashatra", depicts in many ways
the India of His dreams. When he wrote this volume of epic proportion, the
country was ridden in feudalism and closed and self-sufficient economy. The
economy based on indigenous ways of production; was in a transitional phase,
moving towards the advanced aspects of distribution and production. Culture and
regional politics directed the way in which trade was done. The main activities
of the economy were agriculture, cattle rearing and commerce. Among the three,
Chanakya considered agriculture to be the most important constituent of the
economy. It’s a fact today that the Indian economy of today is an agro based
one. Covering various topics on administration, politics and economy, it is a
book of law and a treatise on running a country which is relevant even today.
People who think that the society in
which we live will remain the same; are dissuading themselves of the truth.
Society is a complex and dynamic system changing constantly leaving those
people behind who say no to change. Broadly speaking, Chanakya dreamt of a
country reaching the following levels of development in terms of ideologies and
social and economic development:
• A self sufficient economy which is
not dependent on foreign trade.
• An egalitarian society where there are equal opportunities for all.
• Establishment of new colonies for the augmentation of resources. He also advocated the development of the already annexed colonies. His imperialistic views can be interpreted as the development of natural and man made resources.
• According to Chanakya, the efficient management of land is essential for the development of resources. It is essential that the state keeps an eye on the occupation of excess land by the landlords and unauthorized use of land. Ideally the state should monitor the most important and vital resource – Land.
• The state should take care of agriculture at all times. Government machinery should be directed towards the implementation of projects aimed at supporting and nurturing the various processes; beginning from sowing of seeds to harvest.
• The nation should envisage to construct forts and cities. These complexes would protect the country from invasions and provide internal security. The cities would act as giant markets increasing the revenue of the state.
• Internal trade was more important to Chanakya than external trade. At each point of the entry of goods, a minimal amount of tax should be collected. The state should collect taxes at a bare minimum level, so that there is no chance of tax evasion.
• Laws of the state should be the same for all, irrespective of the person who is involved in the case. Destitute women should be protected by the society because they are the result of social exploitation and the uncouth behavior of men.
• Security of the citizens at peace time is very important because state is the only savior of the men and women who get affected only because of the negligence of the state. Antisocial elements should be kept under check along with the spies who may enter the country at any time.
• Chanakya envisioned a society where the people are not running behind material pleasures. Control over the sense organs is essential for success in any endeavor. Spiritual development is essential for the internal strength and character of the individual. Material pleasures and achievements are always secondary to the spiritual development of the society and country at large.
___________________________________
• An egalitarian society where there are equal opportunities for all.
• Establishment of new colonies for the augmentation of resources. He also advocated the development of the already annexed colonies. His imperialistic views can be interpreted as the development of natural and man made resources.
• According to Chanakya, the efficient management of land is essential for the development of resources. It is essential that the state keeps an eye on the occupation of excess land by the landlords and unauthorized use of land. Ideally the state should monitor the most important and vital resource – Land.
• The state should take care of agriculture at all times. Government machinery should be directed towards the implementation of projects aimed at supporting and nurturing the various processes; beginning from sowing of seeds to harvest.
• The nation should envisage to construct forts and cities. These complexes would protect the country from invasions and provide internal security. The cities would act as giant markets increasing the revenue of the state.
• Internal trade was more important to Chanakya than external trade. At each point of the entry of goods, a minimal amount of tax should be collected. The state should collect taxes at a bare minimum level, so that there is no chance of tax evasion.
• Laws of the state should be the same for all, irrespective of the person who is involved in the case. Destitute women should be protected by the society because they are the result of social exploitation and the uncouth behavior of men.
• Security of the citizens at peace time is very important because state is the only savior of the men and women who get affected only because of the negligence of the state. Antisocial elements should be kept under check along with the spies who may enter the country at any time.
• Chanakya envisioned a society where the people are not running behind material pleasures. Control over the sense organs is essential for success in any endeavor. Spiritual development is essential for the internal strength and character of the individual. Material pleasures and achievements are always secondary to the spiritual development of the society and country at large.
___________________________________
SRI
CHANAKYA NITI-SASTRA
THE
POLITICAL ETHICS OF CHANAKYA PANDIT
By
Miles Davis (Patita Pavana dasa)
About 2300
years ago the Greek conqueror Alexander the Great invaded the Indian
sub-continent. His offensive upon the land's patchwork of small Hindu empires
proved to be highly successful due to the disunity of the petty rulers. It was
Chanakya Pandit who, feeling deeply distressed at heart, searched for and discovered
a qualified leader in the person of Chandragupta Maurya. Although a mere
dasi-putra, that is, a son of a maidservant by the Magadha King Nanda,
Chandragupta was highly intelligent, courageous and physically powerful.
Chanakya cared little that by birth he should not have dared to approach the
throne. A man of acute discretion, Chanakya desired only that a ruler of
extraordinary capabilities be raised to the exalted post of King of Magadha so
that the offensive launched by the Yavanas (Greeks) could be repressed.
It is said that Chanakya had been personally offended by King Nanda and that this powerful brahmana (Brahmin) had vowed to keep his long sikha (hair) unknotted until he saw to the demise of the contemptuous ruler and his drunken princes. True to his oath, it was only after Chanakya Pandit engineered a swift death for the degraded and worthless rulers of the Nanda dynasty that this great Brahmin was able to again tie up his tuft of hair. There are several versions relating the exact way that Chanakya had set about eliminating the Nandas, and it appears historians have found it difficult to separate fact from folk legend as regards to certain specific details.
After the Nanda downfall, it became easy for Chandragupta to win the support of the Magadha citizens, who responded warmly to their new heroic and handsome young ruler. Kings of neighbouring states rallied under Chandragupta's suzerainty and the last of the Greeks headed by Alexander's general Seleucus were defeated.
With the dual obstacles of the Nandas and Alexander's troops out of the way, Chanakya Pandit used every political device and intrigue to unite the greater portion of the Indian sub-continent. Under the Prime ministership of Chanakya, King Chandragupta Maurya conquered all the lands up to Iran in the Northwest and down to the extremities of Karnataka or Mysore state in the South (India). It was by his wits alone that this skinny and ill-clad brahmin directed the formation of the greatest Indian empire ever before seen in history (i.e. since the beginning of Kali-yuga). Thus the indigenous Vedic culture of the sacred land of Bharata (India) was protected and the spiritual practices of the Hindus could go on unhampered.
Although many great savants of the science of niti such as Brihaspati, Shukracharya, Bhartrihari and Vishnusharma have echoed many of these instructions in their own celebrated works*, it is perhaps the way that Chanakya applied his teachings of niti-sastra (political science) that has made him stand out as a significant historical figure. The great Pandit teaches us that lofty ideals can become a certain reality if we intelligently work towards achieving our goal in a determined, progressive and practical manner.
Dr. R. Shamashastry, the translator of the English version of Kautilya's Artha-Sastra, quotes a prediction from the Vishnu Purana fourth canto, twenty-fourth chapter, regarding the appearance of Chanakya Pandit. This prediction, incidentally, was scribed fifty centuries ago, nearly 2700 years before this political heavyweight and man of destiny was to appear. The prediction informs us: "(First) Mahapadma then his sons - only nine in number - will be the lords of the earth for a hundred years. A brahmana named Kautilya will slay these Nandas. On their death, the Mauryas will enjoy the earth. Kautilya himself will install Chandragupta on the throne. His son will be Bindusara and his son will be Ashokavardhana." Similar prophecies are also repeated in the Bhagavata, Vayu and Matsya Puranas.
In presenting this work I have traced out and referred to two old English versions of Chanakya Niti-sastra published at the close of the last century. However, these apparently were translated by mere scholars (not devotees) who seem to have missed many subtleties of Chanakya's vast wit and wisdom. Another unedited and unpublished manuscript Chanakya Niti-sastra with both English translation and Latinised transliteration produced by the Vrndavana ISKCON Centre was also referred to. It was however the learned Vaisnava pandit and Sanskrit scholar Sri V. Badarayana Murthy, of the South Indian Madhva School, who helped me see the depth and import of these verses from the original Devanagari. A very few slokas which were perhaps irrelevant or otherwise not useful for our Vaisnava readers have been omitted.
I have been told that our blessed spiritual master His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada had expressed a desire that Sri Chanakya Niti-sastra be properly translated into English. It is hoped that our present rendering will be at least useful if not instructive to the reader. Let us examine now in a few words on the science of niti, or common sense, from the pen of Srila Bhaktivinoda, the great 19th century devotee-pioneer of the worldwide propagation of Lord Caitanya's divine message.
Taking the two words "common sense" right up to their highest level, he has written:
"Man's glory is in common sense,
Dictating us the grace,
That man is made to live and love
The beauteous Heaven's embrace"*3
In other words, the real goal of niti, indeed the goal of life, is to realise one's eternal position of Krishna consciousness. The Bhagavad-gita confirms Srila Bhaktivinode's view in the final line of its last sloka: dhruva nitir matir mama. A translation of that full verse runs: "(Sanjaya said) Wherever there is Krishna the master of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna the supreme archer, there will also be opulence, victory, extraordinary power and morality (niti). That is My opinion."
It is said that Chanakya had been personally offended by King Nanda and that this powerful brahmana (Brahmin) had vowed to keep his long sikha (hair) unknotted until he saw to the demise of the contemptuous ruler and his drunken princes. True to his oath, it was only after Chanakya Pandit engineered a swift death for the degraded and worthless rulers of the Nanda dynasty that this great Brahmin was able to again tie up his tuft of hair. There are several versions relating the exact way that Chanakya had set about eliminating the Nandas, and it appears historians have found it difficult to separate fact from folk legend as regards to certain specific details.
After the Nanda downfall, it became easy for Chandragupta to win the support of the Magadha citizens, who responded warmly to their new heroic and handsome young ruler. Kings of neighbouring states rallied under Chandragupta's suzerainty and the last of the Greeks headed by Alexander's general Seleucus were defeated.
With the dual obstacles of the Nandas and Alexander's troops out of the way, Chanakya Pandit used every political device and intrigue to unite the greater portion of the Indian sub-continent. Under the Prime ministership of Chanakya, King Chandragupta Maurya conquered all the lands up to Iran in the Northwest and down to the extremities of Karnataka or Mysore state in the South (India). It was by his wits alone that this skinny and ill-clad brahmin directed the formation of the greatest Indian empire ever before seen in history (i.e. since the beginning of Kali-yuga). Thus the indigenous Vedic culture of the sacred land of Bharata (India) was protected and the spiritual practices of the Hindus could go on unhampered.
Although many great savants of the science of niti such as Brihaspati, Shukracharya, Bhartrihari and Vishnusharma have echoed many of these instructions in their own celebrated works*, it is perhaps the way that Chanakya applied his teachings of niti-sastra (political science) that has made him stand out as a significant historical figure. The great Pandit teaches us that lofty ideals can become a certain reality if we intelligently work towards achieving our goal in a determined, progressive and practical manner.
Dr. R. Shamashastry, the translator of the English version of Kautilya's Artha-Sastra, quotes a prediction from the Vishnu Purana fourth canto, twenty-fourth chapter, regarding the appearance of Chanakya Pandit. This prediction, incidentally, was scribed fifty centuries ago, nearly 2700 years before this political heavyweight and man of destiny was to appear. The prediction informs us: "(First) Mahapadma then his sons - only nine in number - will be the lords of the earth for a hundred years. A brahmana named Kautilya will slay these Nandas. On their death, the Mauryas will enjoy the earth. Kautilya himself will install Chandragupta on the throne. His son will be Bindusara and his son will be Ashokavardhana." Similar prophecies are also repeated in the Bhagavata, Vayu and Matsya Puranas.
In presenting this work I have traced out and referred to two old English versions of Chanakya Niti-sastra published at the close of the last century. However, these apparently were translated by mere scholars (not devotees) who seem to have missed many subtleties of Chanakya's vast wit and wisdom. Another unedited and unpublished manuscript Chanakya Niti-sastra with both English translation and Latinised transliteration produced by the Vrndavana ISKCON Centre was also referred to. It was however the learned Vaisnava pandit and Sanskrit scholar Sri V. Badarayana Murthy, of the South Indian Madhva School, who helped me see the depth and import of these verses from the original Devanagari. A very few slokas which were perhaps irrelevant or otherwise not useful for our Vaisnava readers have been omitted.
I have been told that our blessed spiritual master His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada had expressed a desire that Sri Chanakya Niti-sastra be properly translated into English. It is hoped that our present rendering will be at least useful if not instructive to the reader. Let us examine now in a few words on the science of niti, or common sense, from the pen of Srila Bhaktivinoda, the great 19th century devotee-pioneer of the worldwide propagation of Lord Caitanya's divine message.
Taking the two words "common sense" right up to their highest level, he has written:
"Man's glory is in common sense,
Dictating us the grace,
That man is made to live and love
The beauteous Heaven's embrace"*3
In other words, the real goal of niti, indeed the goal of life, is to realise one's eternal position of Krishna consciousness. The Bhagavad-gita confirms Srila Bhaktivinode's view in the final line of its last sloka: dhruva nitir matir mama. A translation of that full verse runs: "(Sanjaya said) Wherever there is Krishna the master of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna the supreme archer, there will also be opulence, victory, extraordinary power and morality (niti). That is My opinion."
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