Life story
Acharya Chanakya (350-275 BCE) , he traditionally identified as Kautilya or Vishnu Gupta
Birth
Chanakya's birthplace is unknown ,
possibly Acharya Chanakya born in Kusumpur near Pataliputra (modern day Patna)
city in ancient India . According to the Buddhist text Mahavamsa Tika, his
birthplace was Taxila. According to some other Jain accounts, he was a native
of South India. His father name was
"Chanak"
When Chanakya was born he had a full set
of teeth, which is a sign that he would become a king or an emperor. But since
he was born in a Brahmin family, it was considered inappropriate. Thus, his
teeth were broken and it was predicted that he would make another person a king
and rule through him
Even as a child, Chanakya had the
qualities of a born leader. His level of knowledge was beyond children of his
age.
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 centres 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 favour 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.
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
"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 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."
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.
http://chanakyasstory.blogspot.in, Sabhar from Published Blog
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