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the name Chanakya brings to one’s mind the picture of a very intelligent man who is a great scholar, economic philosopher, visionary and a political strategist with the wide-ranging wisdom of a genius. His invaluable lessons changed the course of history. Chanakya is the famous writer of Arthashastra and Nitishastra, which guide us how to be a visionary. Arthashastra is about the economic policies, military strategies and state craft, while Nitishastra tells us of his views on the principles of governing society and an ideal way of life.
He was so intelligent that he became professor of economics and political science. At the time of Alexander's invasion to India, Chanakya thought that only Nanda, the king of Magadha, could stand against their might. But when he reached Pataliputra, the king and his couriers made fun of his looks instead of giving due respect to his education. From that day onwards, he decided to overthrow the king. He needed meticulous planning. On his way to Saptaganga, he stood mulling over the situation to find a new king who was judicious, courageous and gave due respect to the learned. His eyes fell on a few boys playing king and his people. They came with their problems and the boy king sorted them and guided them. Chanakya was very much impressed by the way the boy king handled all the situations. He made up his mind that he would train him to be the future king of Magadha. Later on, the same boy became the king of Magadha after king Nanda was dethroned. The new dynasty of Chandragupta Maurya began. Chandragupta Maurya was judicious, generous, virtuous and truthful. He possessed valour and foresight, and was disciplined and accessible to people. Chanakya trained spies who kept an eye on everything because information received in advance could give power to the ruler and turn them into winning war strategies. His army was also given due respect, training and financial aid and was looked after properly. Chanakya always felt that the king should be careful of enemies and should never let his guard down. Arthashastra also describes friends and foes and how to safeguard oneself gainst enemies for self preservation but still maintain a diplomatic relationship between friends and foes. This book writes about the qualities of a king, choosing ministers and officials, spies, strategies of war, the army, economy, foreign policies, deceptions , defending the state and the importance of looking after horses and elephants and how a king should practice them. In the end, the writer has reproduced the 100 gems which are relevant even today in work and in business. It is really an interesting experience and the tips are a treasure of wisdom.
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According to him, the
ruler should respect the educated and care for his people but be
shrewd enough to run his kingdom. Who was Chanakya? Though there are
different stories about that, according to the main narrative, his
father Chanak was one of the advisers of king Dhana Nanda, the
powerful and arrogant king of Magadha. One day, Chanak spoke against
the injustice meted to one of the advisers Shaktar. Dhana and Nanda
sent him to prison. Chanakya was very young at that time. To save
himself from the ire of king, he left the kingdom. He went to
Takshishila and studied under the great teacher Acharya Pundarikaksha.
Chanakya studied various subjects, sacred textbooks, laws of the land
and war strategies. Along with these, he also learnt magic, elephant
lores and the secrets of herbs and ways of the tribes by living with
them.