Few words about the great Chanakya

When I was a child Doordarshan used to telecast a serial on Chanakya and I was so inspired by the intelligence of Chanakya that every Sunday I used to watch it. Chanakya was also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupt, was a great philosopher, thinker, teacher, economist and played a very significant role in the establishment of the great Maurya Empire, which ruled most of the Indian subcontinent. He was born in Pataliputra, Magadh (modern day Bihar). He had great interest in politics and later in economics. His acumen and shrewdness in politics was clear since his childhood. His foresightedness and in depth knowledge about politics had resulted in the mighty Mauryan Empire.

Chanakya’s teachings and thoughts are called “Chanakya Niti” and these are still applicable on different situations. These are actually the way a kingdom and life of individual should be managed. Most of his teachings are very practical and applicable on day to day life. One of his maxims on taxation is still applicable. He said that do not make taxation a painful process for people. While deciding the tax structure, be lenient and cautious. 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”.

Nitishastra was propounded by Chanakya that defines the ideal way of living a life. He used to find a root cause of every problem before finding the solution. Present day Universities still teach his philosophies and principles of politics.

He had written a book “Chanakyaniti” and most of his teachings are just like prophesies than just the teachings. Though often he has been criticized for tricks and ruthlessness, but it is true that Chanakya is a timeless person whose teachings are great.

One of his teachings says that a person before starting any task must ask three questions for its successful completion. These are – Why am I doing it, What the results might be and Will I be successful. Don’t you think that it is true? We should bring this into practice so that every task started by us finds its final destination the way we want.

His one more statement on work explains that after initiating any task you should not be afraid of its failure and do not even leave the task in between. Work with sincerity and you will be the happiest.

Throwing light on God and his worship he has said that we should not believe in idols as God is not present in idols. Our feelings are the actual God and soul is the temple.

He had given great importance to education and even said that education can beat the beauty and the youth. No one but education is our best friend. People respect educated persons.

These are just few of his teachings that are well applicable in day to day life. The more you get involve in these, the more satisfied and successful you will be in your life.

Related information:

History of India

Historical Map of India