Chanakya and Chanakya Niti

Prime Minister of the Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta Maurya was Chanakya. One of his most famous works is the political treatise known as Arthashastra, which he wrote for the young Chandragupta as an instruction manual on how to rule well.

Who was Chanakya

Chanakya was a teacher, author, strategist, philosopher, and economist. He also served as an advisor to kings and queens as well as a strategist. An Indian political treatise, the Arthashastra, was traditionally attributed to the author Kauilya or Vishnugupta, a figure who lived between the third and fourth centuries BCE. Since his work is seen as an important precursor to classical economics, he is widely regarded as an Indian pioneer in the fields of political science and economics. He was born in Chanaka village in Golla region or Takshashila in 375 BCE.

His life is only known through folklore; no historical documents have been found that relate to him or his significance in the founding of the Mauryan Empire. He is said to have served as an advisor to Dhanananda, the last king of the Nanda Dynasty. It’s been reported that Dhananand’s alms-giving ceremony insulted him, so he decided to depose the king after visiting the court of Dhanananda and visiting the university of Taxila.

First he tried to recruit the king’s son, Pabbata, and then he narrowed it down to Pabbata and Chandragupta, either a member of the noble house or a commoner, as his most likely allies. Chanakya focused his efforts on training Chandragupta for the next seven to nine years after testing the two youths. Chandragupta defeated Dhanananda and took control of Magadha after completing his training.

According to the Arthashastra, Chanakya taught Chandragupta everything he needed to know to become a monarch. It was Chandragupta’s son Bindusara and his grandson Ashoka the Great, whose early success can be attributed to the Arthashastra until Ashoka the Great became disillusioned by war and converted to Buddhism under the influence of the Arthashastra. The Arthashastra is influenced by Charvaka philosophy, which rejects supernatural explanations of phenomena in favour of a completely materialistic world view, developed around 600 BCE. Because of the foundation provided by Charvaka, the Arthashastra’s practical, hands-on nature may never have been realised.

Despite Ashoka’s reign, the Arthashastra continued to exert considerable influence, but it then vanished and was considered lost until Sanskrit scholar Rudrapatna Shamasastry discovered it in 1905 CE. Originally published in 1909 CE, Shamasastry translated it into English and published it in 1915 CE, which increased its popularity.

Chanakya used the Arthashastra to teach Chandragupta how to be a monarch. Chandragupta’s son Bindusara and his grandson Ashoka the Great, whose early success can be attributed to the Arthashastra until he became disillusioned by war and converted to Buddhism, both benefited from Chandragupta’s use of the Arthashastra precepts. The Arthashastra is influenced by Charvaka philosophy, which rejects supernatural explanations of phenomena in favour of a completely materialistic world view, developed around 600 BCE. Because of the foundation provided by Charvaka, the Arthashastra’s practical, hands-on nature may never have been realised.

Despite Ashoka’s reign, the Arthashastra continued to exert considerable influence, but it then vanished and was considered lost until Sanskrit scholar Rudrapatna Shamasastry discovered it in 1905 CE (l. 1868-1944 CE). Originally published in 1909 CE, Shamasastry translated it into English and published it in 1915 CE, which increased its popularity.

Chanakya is depicted as a Brahmin scholar from Taxila who arrived at Dhanananda’s court for an alms-giving ceremony according to Buddhist tradition. He had “canine teeth,” which folklore held to be a sign of royalty, in every version of Chanakya’s legend. Mothers mourn the fact that their sons will grow up to rule and forget about them when they reach the throne. He broke his teeth to calm her fears, and as a result, he was viewed as disfigured.

A few minutes after he had arrived, Dhanananda entered and began making snide remarks about his physical appearance and demanding that he be removed from the ceremony. He fled the city and plotted his revenge in the forest after cursing the king, who had ordered his arrest. He was rumoured to know how to multiply money by eight, according to legend. For an army to take down Dhananand, he used this mysterious technique to create the gold coins he needed, but the only thing missing was someone who could take Dhananand’s place as the new ruler.

Chanakya and Chandragupta

Pabbata, the son of Dhanananda, appears to have been his first choice, though he may have considered a number of other options. The Nanda family was said to have included Chandragupta, but he was not a member of the royal branch, according to some accounts of the storey. Alternatively, he was depicted as a commoner whose family had been wealthy in the past but were now peacock farmers.

Pabbata, the son of Dhanananda, appears to have been his first choice, though he may have considered a number of other options. However, Chandragupta may have been descended from ancestors outside the royal line, as has been suggested by various historians and folklorists. Alternatively, he was depicted as a commoner whose family had been wealthy in the past but were now peacock farmers.

Dhanananda was known to Alexander’s troops as Xandrames or Agrammes, a mighty king who could easily field 200,000 infantry and 20,00 cavalry, as well as chariot units and war elephants, according to the later Roman historian Curtius (l. 1st century CE). Their troops had already endured a great deal of hardship in India, and now they were refusing to face an army that was widely considered invincible. Alexander was forced to return to Mesopotamia after his campaign was abandoned due to mutiny threats.

Chandragupta met Alexander at this time, according to legend, and requested leave to serve in his army, according to the legend. He fled Alexander’s camp in fear for his life. The more likely scenario is that Chandragupta enlisted in Dhanananda’s army to gain military experience because he was encouraged to do so by Chanakya.

After Alexander’s army had destabilised the north-west region of India, Chandragupta was trained by Chanakya for between seven and nine years, during which time Chanakya is said to have given his protégé military training. When Chandragupta conquered Alexander’s defeated kingdoms and tribes, he used that victory to establish a stronghold from which to attack Magadha from the east. Spies, intrigue and political manipulation were used by Chanakya to weaken his adversary while gathering intelligence on his strengths. Dhanananda was deposed and killed in 321 BCE by Chandragupta after his first attempt at power was a failure.

The Arthashastra and Charvaka

Chanakya became Chandragupta’s prime minister after his accession to the throne. It’s possible that he wrote the Arthashastra not long afterward, but this is all conjecture. But it is obvious that the work could not have been written without the philosophical school of Charvaka, which created the intellectual landscape that allowed it to happen.

According to Charvaka, religious interpretations of reality were to be rejected in favour of a purely materialistic view of the universe. The only way to know and accept any truth is through direct perception. We are here solely to enjoy ourselves while avoiding suffering. A religion is created by the powerful and intelligent to prey on the weak.

An early reformer named Brhaspati is believed to have been the first person to challenge the clergy’s power and influence over the people, particularly the lower classes. All that is known about his philosophy comes from later Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist texts that refute Brhaspati’s claims, including the Brhaspati Sutra, which he is said to have written.

Vedas, Hindu religious texts, were completely rejected by Charvaka. The orthodox held that Brahman, who is believed to be Brahman, was Brahman’s creator of the universe and the Universe itself. There were two types of religious and philosophical schools: those that accepted the Vedic vision and those that rejected it, or “nastika,” respectively. Neither Buddhism nor Jainism are considered nastika, but Charvaka, another nastika school of thought, went further in rejecting any supernatural authority or existence at all.

It wasn’t widely accepted, but Charvaka’s non-religious, purely logical approach to the world offered a new perspective.

Legacy of Chanakya

Chandragupta’s son, Bindusara, succeeded Chanakya as king after Chandragupta’s conversion to Jainism and abdication. It is said he then went into exile and died of starvation in the forest, according to folklore. At the end of his reign, Chanakya ensured that Bindusara’s reign was secure by handing over control of the Arthashastra to Bindusara and retiring to the forest. After that, no one knows what happened to Chanakya. He may have died at Pataliputra in 283 BCE.

The morality of Chanakya’s work has sparked as much debate as that of Machiavelli’s The Prince with regard to its presence or absence. It is possible to view Chanakya as either a soulless materialist or an enlightened pragmatist who recognises that one must sometimes engage in distasteful acts in order to accomplish noble goals..

However, the Mauryan Empire would not have been possible without the help of Chanakya and Arthashastra, which advocated for ignoring morality in favour of practicality and expediency. Students of politics, religion, and philosophy are still grappling with the central question presented by the Arthashastra’s concepts and influence: can a positive outcome be considered objectively good if it is achieved through negative means? It’s safe to assume that the answer is yes, but scholars who study Chanakya’s work seem to be hesitant to agree with his vision to the fullest extent.

As a philosopher and diplomat, Chanakya is revered in India. People in India believe he was among the first to envision a unified India that encompassed the entire region. For this reason, the diplomatic enclave of New Delhi is referred to as Chanakypuri.

Chanakya Niti  by Chanakya

Indian history has long been enriched by the contributions of Chanakya, one of the greatest philosophers, advisors, and teachers in Indian history. Many Indian kings were inspired by his book, which is now known as Chanakya Neeti-shastra and also as Kauilya Niti. More than 15 quotes are included in each chapter of the Chanakya Niti Book, which contains 17 chapters and more than 15 quotes on various aspects of human life.

Everyone can benefit from reading Kauilya Neeti and implementing its teachings into their daily lives. Whatever your role in the classroom is, it doesn’t matter. All the answers you need to succeed are in this book.

Below are some important quotes by Chanakya mentioned in his Chanakya Niti:

• In my opinion, it’s foolish to advise a fool, care for a woman with a bad character, or spend time with a lethargic and unhappy person.
• If you live in a place where people don’t fear the law, are shameless, there is no clever man, and where people lack in kindness and there is no creativity or art, you shouldn’t be living there.
• A river, soldiers, successful businessmen, educated brahmins, and a doctor: these are the five things you must never be without.
• In times of need, test a friend, a family member, or a servant you’ve trusted with a significant responsibility.
• Your true brother in the real sense is whoever helps you in times of illness, misfortune, famine, and invasion.
• A person cannot win if he or she cannot decide on his or her goal.
• True sons obey their fathers, true fathers love their children, and true friends tell the truth.
• A person should avoid those who act as flatterers in front of you but speak ill of you behind your back. They inflict permanent harm on you. It’s like drinking poisonous milk from a toxic friend. Such people should be avoided at all costs.
• A man should respond to the situation rather than sit around daydreaming. Don’t put your faith in anyone.
• When it comes to social respect, only well-educated, well-behaved individuals receive it.
• Overindulging with your child, pupil, or students is something Chanakya warns against. They’ll be ruined.
• The end is near for anyone who associates with a bad character or stays with a bad company.
• A snake, on the other hand, will only bite in self-defense, whereas a wicked person will take any opportunity to harm you.
• It’s said that an uneducated young person of a higher origin, but with a beautiful face is ignored like a scentless flower.
• One who is constantly mindful of God’s presence is unlikely to commit sin, and one who lives in harmony with others is unable to engage in conflict. In the same way, a person who is alert has no worries.
• Ravana’s egotistical excesses led to his death, while Sita’s overindulgence led to her abduction, and Raja Bali’s unwarranted generosity caused him great harm. Never go to the extremes!
• Like a tree laden with fragrant flowers spreads fragrance throughout the forest. It is the same for the family, the community, and the country when a worthy son is born.
• Running away is the only option when confronted with natural disasters, famine, and an unstoppable enemy invasion. There will be another opportunity for you.
• In a world where fools are not revered, grains are not wasted, and husbands and wives do not argue, the best place to live is. Such places are the abodes of Goddess Laxmi.
• I like to think of knowledge as a sacred kamdhenu, a tree that bears fruit throughout the year. Protects and rewards you in uncharted territories.
• Meditating is best done by yourself; teaching by two; singing by three; travelling by four; farming by five; and combat by as many as you can muster.
• Anger is the never-ending flame, infatuation is the most contagious disease, and knowledge is the most valuable of all possessions.
• By rubbing, heating, beating, and cutting the gold, the purity of the metal can be determined. In the midst of adversity, a person’s true self is revealed. A lot about him will be revealed by his demeanour, voice, and actions.
• His army is rendered ineffective after the execution of the commander.
• Heaven has no significance to a person who has perfect knowledge. In the eyes of a true warrior, life is of little significance. The world has no meaning for a true sage woman or a person in control of their desires.
• To rain over the ocean, help those who can, and light a lamp in the daytime is a waste of time.
• It is impossible for a person born blind to see the world or fall in love. An alcoholic is unable to distinguish between right and wrong. Similarly, a self-centered person is blinded by his or her own self-serving motives.
• A greedy person can be won by money, a proud person can be won by pretending to be loyal, a fool can be won by agreeing with him, and a scholar can be won by telling the truth.
• Having a kingdom in a bad state is preferable to not having one at all. Similarly, having no friends, students, or wife is preferable to having bad ones.
• It is impolite to bring up personal or professional problems that you are facing, such as a financial setback or a broken heart, with others. Your weaknesses are often exploited by others. Beware!
• Learning, business negotiations, and eating should all be done without shame.
• The happiest people are those who have a relaxed mind, rather than those who are constantly pursuing money.
• Whatever one’s wife, wealth, and income may be, one must be content with it. One must, however, not rest on their laurels after acquiring knowledge and performing charitable deeds.
• It’s like putting yourself in the path of a plough and oxen. If you’re a scholar, you shouldn’t get in the way of another scholar, your spouse, or your servant.
• Tasty food makes a Brahman happy; clouds make a peacock happy; a good soul is happy when others are happy; an evil soul is happy when others are unhappy.
• You need to use your money wisely, just as a pond’s water is clean if it’s circulated. whereas the water in a pond is always contaminated.
• Gentlemen, like gems, pearls, sandalwood trees, and elephants, aren’t found in every forest, just like they aren’t found in every mountain.
• Women have a tendency to lie, show rashness, daring, deceitful acts, foolish acts, covetousness, impurity, and cruelty.
• Good food, the ability to digest it and sex power for intercourse with a beautiful woman, a desire to give wealth along with abundant wealth are some of the qualities needed to be a wealthy individual. Man has to work extremely hard to achieve any of these pleasures.
• People who have control over their children, their spouses, and their finances have a happy life. It’s a dream come true for him to be here.
• Only the householder, whose children follow his commands, is content. The father has a responsibility to ensure that his sons are well cared for.
• It’s better to break up with a friend who talks softly in front of you but ruins your work when you’re not looking.
• You should never put your trust in someone who isn’t a good friend, but you should also never put all your trust in a good friend because if he gets angry, he can reveal all your secrets. As a result, caution is required.
• People should never reveal their thoughts to anyone.
• Children develop in the same way as they are taught as children. A family’s beauty can only be enhanced by virtuous members, so it is in the best interest of the parents to guide their children on this path.
• Those parents, who failed to provide their children with an adequate education, are like enemies to their own children. It’s like a heron in a herd of swans being humiliated by a heron. It is the responsibility of parents to instil in their children a love of learning so that they can contribute to society in a positive way.
• The survival of trees along riverbanks is in jeopardy because the rivers themselves destroy them during floods. At any time, a woman living in another person’s home can descend into a downward spiral. In the same way, a king who lacks competent advisers will not be able to rule for long. There can be no ambiguity about this.
• When a man runs out of money, a prostitute turns his back on him. When a king loses his authority, his subjects follow suit. In a similar vein, birds that live in trees will remain there as long as the tree continues to provide them with food.
• Whoever forms a close relationship with someone who has bad character, harms others without cause, or lives in an unsanitary environment will be quickly destroyed. It is in the good interest of man to avoid the company of evil people as soon as possible.
• Only those of equal status should be friends. It is best to have a government job, but tactfulness is essential for a successful business. It is fitting that the house itself is adorned by a stunning woman of gentle disposition.
• Let’s be careful with each step we take. We only consume water that has been purified. We adhere strictly to the teachings of Scripture in everything we say and do. We should only engage in actions that have been carefully considered.