ACHARY CHANAKY आचार्य चाणक्य
CONCEPTS & EXTRACTS IN HINDUISM
By :: Pt. Santosh Bhardwaj
By :: Pt. Santosh Bhardwaj
dharmvidya.wordpress.com hindutv.wordpress.com jagatgurusantosh.wordpress.com santoshhastrekhashastr.wordpress.com bhagwatkathamrat.wordpress.com santoshkipathshala.blogspot.com santoshsuvichar.blogspot.com santoshkathasagar.blogspot.com bhartiyshiksha.blogspot.com santoshhindukosh.blogspot.com
Patli Putr, (presently known as Patna) has been historically a very important city politically and strategically. It has seen the ups and downs of development and great reversals. It had been the abode of Jara Sandh during Maha Bharat and an ancient city mentioned in scriptures since Sat Yug. Nag Vanshi Shishu Nag, established the city on the southern bank of the Holy Ganga river. It was addressed with different names at different times. To illustrate a few names, Pushp Pur, Pushp Nagar, Patli Putr and Patna.Patli Putr was industrious in producing essential commodities and luxurious goods for the rich. 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.
Chanaky was a Brahman from Patli Putr. He had canine teeth, which were believed to be a mark of royalty. His mother feared that he would neglect her after becoming a king. To pacify her, Chanaky broke his teeth. Chanaky had an ugly appearance, accentuated by his broken teeth and crooked feet.
Forecast of his birth is traced to Bhavishy Puran, at least 3,000 years before his birth. He was a great scholar and his works Chanky Niti and Kautily's Arth Shashtr shows that he had thoroughly studied three Veds, scriptures, administration, diplomacy, politics. He read the Vrahaspati's doctrines, Vidur Niti at learnt and framed his own Niti suitable to the current regime. His father Chanak too was a great scholar & teacher, who had written and taught economics. The author of Panch Tantr Vishnu Sharma had been identified as Vishnu Gupt, i.e., Chanky-Kautily.
He fled to Takshila on the advice of his mother fearing for his life after imprisonment of his father Chanak, by Maha Nand. Mudrakshas, Nand's Mahamaty was instrumental in saving the life of Chanak, whom he rewarded later by appointing him as the Mahamaty of Chandr Gupt.
Chanaky assisted the first Mauryan emperor Chandr Gupt in his rise to power. He is widely credited for having played an important role in the establishment of the Maury Empire. Chanaky served as the chief advisor to both emperors Chandr Gupt and his son Bindusar. He took care of internal and external security of the Magadh empire, under Chandr Gupt. His net work of spies was spreaded over the entire country covering the neighbouring countries as well. The spies were well trained and reliable. Some of them had to report to Chandr Gupt, as well. Chanky nurtured Vish Kanya (विष कन्या, Poison girls), who were not allowed to eat salt from very beginning. Their breasts were treated with deadly poison sufficient to kill the person intimate with them. However, the poison never harmed the girls. His spies & detectives were present in every nook and corner of the country, infiltrating all walks of life.
Chandr Gupt Maury proved to be a great emperor and nation builder under the able guidance of Chanaky. Chandr Gupt's son Bindusar succeeded Chandr Gupt in the throne and Chandr Gupt took to ascetic life during his last days, having relinquished the throne and joined Jainism. He followed the Jain saint Bhadr Bahu to present day Karnataka and settled in a place known as Shravan Belagola. He lived as an ascetic for some years and died of voluntary starvation-religious fasting. Chanaky meanwhile stayed as the administrator of Bindusar.
Chanaky continued to be the chief advisor for Bindusar. Unable to tolerate the rapport that Chanaky enjoyed with Bindusar, a terrible plot was hatched to create enmity between him and the ruler. The master mind behind this plot was Subandhu, the minister of Bindusar. Subandhu made Bindusar believe that it was Chanaky who killed his mother in a treacherous manner. This created a severe contempt in Bindusar for Chanaky.
Chanaky was unable to put up with the behaviour of Bindusar, whom he loved the most. Therefore, he left the palace and sat starving until death, observing religious fasting. During this time, a nurse who was with Bindusar's mother Dhurdha, revealed the mystery behind the queen's death relieving Chanaky from the guilt.
When Chandr Gupt, Bindusar's father was on the throne, Chanaky was administering anti dots of poison to his food (which too were poisonous in nature) day by day, to make him strong and immune even to the worst poison so that he could not be poisoned by his enemies or conspirators. Unaware of the fact the queen tat the food reserved for Chandr Gupt during the last days of her pregnancy.
Having learnt this, Chanaky asked the physicians to operate Bindusar's dying mother to save the heir to the throne. All efforts to protect and revive her failed. The baby who was rescued from poison was named as Bindusar, since a bindu (बिंदु, drop of poison) had reached his body. The queen could not survive. Once Bindusar learnt this story from the nurse, he realised the grave mistake he committed by misunderstanding Chanaky. However, despite his best efforts to pacify him and bring him back to the court, Chanaky refused to do so.
Its impossible to believe that any one was capable to hatch and execute a conspiracy to eliminate Chanky without his prior knowledge. His detective were able to execute any one-conspirator under such a case-circumstances. Subandhu had conspired of burning Chanky alive. Having learnt the sequence of events Bindusar himself killed Subandhu in utter disgust for his evil plans.
When Chanaky was attacked for the first time by enemies, he was left to drown. While, all thought that he had died of drowning, it was realised later that Chanaky was not dead but he faked his death so that he would know who was the culprit. What’s more, he wanted to dodge the enemies of Magadh. With the help of his Gupt chars (गुप्तचर, जासूस, detectives) and most trusted people he could easily fake his death for a brief period of time.
Yet another attempt was made by a Vish Kanya to kill Chanaky as she knew that if she had to kill Samrat Bindusar, she would have to kill Chanaky, first. She was almost successful in her attempt. However, his will power (Yogabhyas-practice of Yog) to control his body allowed him to fight against the venom so much that he was still alive though he faked his death in front of the Vish Kanya. He was successful in his attempt and could identify the real culprit behind the motive. Chanaky did this all to save Samrat Bindusar. His aim was to trick the Vish Kanya so that she could be caught red handed and then tricked her in such a way that she revealed the truth in front of Samrat Bindusar. Though she had already revealed Raj Mata’s (His mother had already died. This Raj Mata was another wife of Chandr Gupt) name as the conspirator Achary Chanky made her reveal in front of the Samrat.
Though Chanky never married yet he had thorough knowledge of the behaviour of women. He has quoted women's behaviour in Chanky Niti. He allowed the tradition of Vish Kanya since time immemorial.
Chanakya artistic depiction.jpgSome of the courtiers tried to poison Chanky but failed. They then digged the hut where he lived. They found a box deeper inside the earth. They were curious to find seven boxes one in another. The last- smallest box contained a deadly venomous poison in powder form, which they all smelled, thinking it to be some sort of rejuvenating chemical behind the intelligence of Chanky, one by one and died instantaneously. Here also Chanky knew the plot and eliminated the disloyal ministers & conspirators.
Alexander had been invading India for quite some time. He conquered vast regions. 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.
Chanaky was aware that there was a chance of foreign invasion, again. Europe’s great warrior Salukas (सैल्युकस) after the death of Alexander, was readying his armies to attack the weakened republics of India. There were grave designs threatening the unity and integrity of the nation. Chanaky was aware of the internal and external threats of the country. On the one hand, the rulers of the neighbouring 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 Chanaky 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 Patli Putr, which paved the way for watershed changes in the politics of India and Patli Putr.
Photo: In such a scenario the ruler of Patli Putr, Maha Nand-Dhana Nand was squeezing the common man of his wealth with an object of enriching his own exchequer. He was unscrupulous and cruel by nature. There was public outrage on the taxes which were collected on unwanted things. There were taxes on hides, tax on wood and tax even on stone! His greed for money was unimaginable.
Chanaky wanted to settle in Patli Putr his home town. He had returned to Patli Putr in search of some suitable job in the court of Maha Nand, in addition to trace his father who had vanished under the orders of Maha Nand. Dhana Nand (Maha Nand) used to organise debates in his court in which Chanky raised some issues pertaining to well being of the citizens and the administration of the city. Chanky tried to draw Nand's attention to the vulnerability of the region towards the possible invasion by Alexander and duty of Maha Nand to repel him, which was not liked by Nand. Its a fact that Nand enjoyed the company of women with whom he stayed playing water games in the royal ponds-swimming pools naked for hours & Chanky criticised him being careless towards the welfare of the vast empire, his ancestors had created. Yet another reason is cited for Chanaky's asking Nand for the welfare of the citizens was imposition huge taxes over the citizens.
These instances irritated Maha Nand, who was already annoyed with him. He ordered Chanaky's removal from the court by catching hold of his hair (queue, चुटिया, coil of hair, braid, top knot, Shikha, शिखा). Chanky could not bear the insult. He tied several knots to his queue & pledged to untie the hair lock only after vanishing Nand's rule.
Just after getting humiliated from the king, Chanaky scampered through the streets of Patli Putr. In a hurried walk, he stumbled upon a stump of grass and was about to fall. Chanaky 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.He continued pouring butter milk in the roots of the grass which had hurt him till, it vanished completely. After making sure that not even a single strand of grass was left, he resumed his journey. He had befriended Dhan Nand's son Pabbat and instigated him to seize the throne. With help of a signet ring given by the prince, Chanaky again fled Patli Putr through a secret door, in the disguise of an Jain monk-Ajivak (आजीवक).
Chanaky then escaped to the Vindhy Mountains & Forests. There, he made 800 million gold coins (Kasha Pan, काषापण, currency prevailing at that time) using alchemy (Dhatu Ved). After hiding this money, he started searching for a person worthy of replacing Dhana Nand. while Chanaky was moving along the streets of Patli Putr, he saw little Chandr Gupt enacting the king. Sitting on the hillock, the little boy shouted against injustice and corrupt practices of the kings and people in general. Looking at the bright face of Chandr Gupt, he was impressed at the intellect and wisdom in the boy’s voice. He was accepted as a leader by the play mates. As a child Chandr Gupt played the role of a king, while other boys pretended to be vassals, ministers or robbers. The robbers were brought before Chandr Gupt, who pronounced the logical punishment. His bravery and shrewdness were visible. This completed Chanaky's search for the suitable person to head the throne after Dhana Nand, a great ruler, who had wiped out the exiting atrocious Kshatriy rulers. Maha Nand was 10th in the Nand dynasty of Brahmn rulers, born out of a barber women. (Barber women are very shrewd and cunning by nature.) Chanaky paid 1,000 silver coins (काषापन, Kashapan) to his maternal uncle and took him away promising to teach him a trade. For seven or eight years Chandr Gupt had his education there and that too with selected teachers shortlisted by Chanaky himself. The art of warfare and the art of governance were mastered by Chandr Gupt with equal expertise.
Roots of Chandr Gupt were traced to Sarvarth Siddhi (seventh Nand) who had mainly two chief wives Sunanda Devi and Mur Devi in addition to various other as per the the tradition-practice of the time. Sunanda got nine sons including Maha Nand. Mura, had only one son who was Chandr Gupt's father. Maha Nand imprisoned the whole family and starved them to death. Chandr Gupt's 100 half brothers who died due to torture and starvation. Chandr Gupt some how survived and taken care of by his maternal uncle. Chandr Gupt's mother was identified as a shepherd women.
He returned to Takshila and joined it as a teacher attaining great honour, respect and following amongest the teachers and the students. He had a brigade of dedicated disciples who were willing to lay their lives for his sake. These disciples included the princes of some states and some were from highly respected families of the democracies-republics flourishing in India, fighting against each other.
आजीवक-Ajivak (Atheist) :: Its one of the Nastik (नास्तिक-भगवान् में विश्वास न रखने वाले) or heterodox schools of Indian philosophy. They considered the Karm doctrine as a fallacy. They ere atheists who had rejected the authority of the Veds, but they believed that in every living being is an Atma (Soul-the central premise of Hinduism and Jainism).
Founded in what is now the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Ajivak reached the height of its popularity during the rule of the Mauryan emperor Bindusar around the 4th century BC. This school of philosophy thereafter declined, but survived for nearly 2,000 years through the 10th century CE in the southern Indian states of Karnatak and Tamil Nadu. The Ajivak philosophy, along with the Charvak philosophy, appealed most to the warrior, industrial and mercantile classes of ancient Indian society-especially Jains. In today's India Jains are mainly Vaeshy-baniya's-trading class who are unwilling to accept scheduled castes to their fore like Buddhists.
Chanaky had two potential successors to Dhana Nand. First one being Dhana Nand's son Pabbat and the second one Chandr Gupt, nursed and trained by him as his own son. He gave each of them an amulet to be worn around the neck with a woollen thread. One day, he decided to test them. While Chandr Gupt was asleep, he asked Pabbat to remove Chandr Gupt's woollen thread without breaking it and without waking up Chandr Gupt. Pabbat failed to accomplish this task. Some time later, when Pabbat was sleeping, Chanaky asked Chandr Gupt to do the same. Chandr Gupt retrieved the woollen thread by cutting off Pabbat's throat. For the next 7 years, Chanaky trained Chandr Gupt for royal duties. When Chandr Gupt became an adult, Chanaky dug up his hidden treasure of gold coins and assembled an army.
Chanaky then took Chandr Gupt to conquer Patli Putr, the capital of Nand. He assembled an army using the wealth he had acquired through alchemy (Dhatu Ved) in the Vindhy Mountains & forests. The army suffered a severe defeat, forcing Chanaky and Chandr Gupt to flee the battlefield. The army of Chandr Gupt and Chanaky was disbanded after facing tasting the severe defeat.
They reached a lake while being pursued by an enemy spy. Chanaky asked Chandr Gupt to jump into the lake and disguised himself as a meditating ascetic. When the enemy soldier reached the lake, he asked the ascetic if he had seen Chandr Gupt. Chanaky pointed to the lake. As the soldier removed his armour to jump into the lake, Chanaky took his sword and killed him. When Chandr Gupt came out of the water, Chanaky asked him about his impression when he disclosed Chandr Gupt's location to the enemy. Chandr Gupt replied that he trusted his master to make the best decision. This convinced Chanaky that Chandr Gupt would remain under his influence even after becoming the king. On another occasion, Chanaky similarly escaped the enemy by chasing away a washer man and disguising himself as one. Later in the following years there were many occasions when Chandr Gupt had different opinion regarding ruling the country but he always preferred to abide by Chanaky's ruling.
While wandering in disguise, the two men took refuse in the hut of an old women, who had served hot Khichri (hot gruel) to her grand children along with Chanky & Chandr Gupt. One of the children ate from the middle of hot Khichri-combination of rice and pulses and burnt his tongue. The woman scolded him, saying that he was eating food like Chandr Gupt, who attacked the central part of the kingdom instead of conquering the border villages, first. Chanaky and Chandr Gupt realized their folly. This was a practical lesson to Chanky on politics & war fare. They assembled a new army and started conquering the border villages. Gradually, Chanaky and Chandr Gupt subdued all the regions outside the capital.
Chanky had students almost from all territories of northern India and small democracies-republics. He trained them along with Chandr Gupt, whom they accepted as their leader and remained loyal throughout their life. Chanky sent them back to their regions and collected valuable and vital information regarding their rulers and brought them to the same platform. Chanaky engineered alliance with another powerful king Parvateshwar (or Parvat)-a prominent ruler and opponent of Nand Kingdom and the two rulers agreed to divide Nand's territory after subjugating him. Their allied army included Bahlik, Kirat, Parasik, Kamboj, Shak and Yavan (बाल्हीक, किरात, पर्सीक, काम्बोज, शक, यवन) soldiers.
Though Chanaky 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 Bhadr Bhatt and Purush Dutt. In the events that unfolded in the life of Chanaky, these two played a pivotal role in the achievement of his goals. They acted as spies for Chanaky as well, collecting information about his enemies.
After securing Parwat's help, Chanaky and Chandr Gupt started sieging the towns other than Patli Putr. One particular town offered a strong resistance. Chanaky entered this town disguised as a Shaevite mendicant and declared that the siege would end if the idols of the seven mothers were removed from the town's temple. As soon as the superstitious defenders removed the idols from the temple, Chanaky ordered his army to end the siege. When the defenders started celebrating their victory, Chanaky's army launched a surprise attack and captured the town. The army invaded Patli Putr (Kusum Pur) and defeated Maha Nand. Chanaky found the treasure of Maha Nand with the help of a fisherman. Chanaky coronated (राज्याभिषेक, राज-तिलक करना) Chandr Gupt to the throne. Rebels and robbers were sequentially-eliminating from the kingdom.
Salukas (सैल्युकस) was defeated and made surrender along with his army. Salukas was made to offer his daughter to Chandr Gupt for marriage due to political reasons. This was accepted by Chandr Gupt, though reluctantly. The daughters of the Roman-Yunnan army soldiers were married to the Indian soldiers for peace, so that the Roman did not attack again.
They allowed Nand to go into exile, with all the goods he could take on a cart. As Nand and his family were leaving the city on a cart, his daughter saw Chandr Gupt and fell in love with the new king. She chose him as her husband by own selection-Swaymvar (स्वयंवर) tradition. As she was getting off the cart, 9 spokes of the cart's wheel broke. Interpreting this as an omen, Chanaky declared that Chandr Gupt's dynasty would last for 9 generations.
Chanaky gradually started consolidating the power by eliminating Nand's loyalists, who had been harassing people in various parts of the kingdom.
Nand's prime minister-Mahamaty Rakshas escaped Patli Putr and continued resisting them. He sent a Vish Kanya (poison girl) to assassinate Chandr Gupt. Chanaky had this girl assassinate Parvat instead, with the blame going to Rakshas. However, Parvat's son Malay Ketu learned the truth about his father's death and defected to Rakshas's camp. Chanaky's spy Bhagurayan accompanied Malay Ketu, pretending to be his friend.
Rakshas continued to plot Chandr Gupt's assassination, but all his plans were foiled by Chanaky. Rakshas arranged for assassins to be transported to Chandr Gupt's bedroom via an underground tunnel. Chanaky became aware of them by noticing a trail of ants carrying the leftovers of their food. He then arranged for the assassins to be burned to death.
Meanwhile, Parvat's brother Vaerodhak became the ruler of his kingdom. Chanaky convinced him that Rakshas was responsible for killing his brother and agreed to share half of Nand's kingdom with him. Secretly, however, Chanaky hatched a plan to get Vaerodhak too killed. He knew that the chief architect of Patli Putr was a Rakshas loyalist. He asked this architect to build a triumphal arch for Chandr Gupt's procession to the royal palace. He arranged the procession to be held at midnight citing astrological reasons, but actually to ensure poor visibility. He then invited Vaerodhak to lead the procession on Chandr Gupt's elephant and accompanied by Chandr Gupt's bodyguards. As expected, Rakshas's loyalists arranged for the arch to fall on who they thought was Chandr Gupt. Vaerodhak was killed and once again, the assassination was blamed on Rakshas.
Malay Ketu and Rakshas then formed an alliance with five kings: Chir Varman of Kaulut (Kulu), Meghaksh of Parasik, Nar Singh of Malay, Push Karksh of Kashmir and Sindhu Sen of Saendhav. This allied army also included soldiers from Chedi, Gandhar, Huns, Khas, Magadh, Shak and Yavan territories.
Chanaky's detectives in Patli Putr informed him that three Rakshas loyalists remained in the capital: the Jain monk Jeev-Siddhi, the scribe Shakat Das and the jewellers' guild chief Chandan Das. Of these, Jeev Siddhi was actually a spy of Chanaky, unknown to his other spies. Chandan Das sheltered Rakshas's wife, who once unknowingly dropped her husband's signet ring (Mudra). Chanaky's agent got hold of this signet-ring and brought it to Chanaky. Using this signet ring, Chanaky sent a letter to Malay Ketu warning him that his allies were treacherous. Chanaky also asked some of Chandr Gupt's princes to fake defection to Malay Ketu's camp. In addition, Chanaky ordered Shakat Das's murder, but had him rescued by Siddharthak, a spy pretending to be an agent of Chandan Das. Chanaky's spy then took Shakat Das to Rakshas.
When Shakat Das and his rescuer Siddharthak reached Rakshas, Siddharthak presented him the signet ring, claiming to have found it at Chandan Das's home. As a reward, Rakshas gave him some jewels that Malay Ketu had gifted him. Sometime after this, another of Chanaky's agents, disguised as a jeweller, sold Parvat's jewels to Rakshas.
Rakshas sent his spies disguised as musicians to Chandr Gupt's court. But Chanaky knew all about Rakshas's plans, thanks to his spies. In front of Rakshas's spies, Chanaky and Chandr Gupt feigned an angry argument. Chandr Gupt pretended to dismiss Chanaky and declared that Rakshas would make a better minister. Meanwhile, Malay Ketu had a conversation with Chanaky's spy Bhagurayan while approaching Rakshas's house. Bhagurayan made Malay Ketu distrustful of Rakshas, by saying that Rakshas hated only Chanaky and would be willing to serve Nand dynasties only surviving heir (successor, scion, inheritor, assign, वारिस, उत्तराधिकार में पानेवाला), Chandr Gupt. Shortly after this, a messenger came to Rakshas's house and informed him that Chandr Gupta had dismissed Chanaky while praising him. This convinced Malay Ketu that Rakshas could not be trusted.
Malay Ketu then decided to invade Patli Putr without Rakshas by his side. He consulted the Jain monk Jeev Siddhi to decide an auspicious time for beginning the march. Jeev Siddhi, a spy of Chanaky, told him that he could start immediately. Jeev Siddhi also convinced him that Rakshas was responsible for his father's death, but Bhagurayan persuaded him not to harm Rakshas. Shortly after, Chanaky's spy Siddharthak pretended to get caught with a fake letter addressed to Chandr Gupt by Rakshas. Wearing the jewels given by Rakshas, he pretended to be an agent of Rakshas. The letter, sealed with Rakshas's signet-ring, informed Chandr Gupt that Rakshas only wished to replace Chanaky as the prime minister. It also stated that five of Malay Ketu's allies were willing to defect to Chandr Gupt in return for land and wealth. An angry Malay Ketu summoned Rakshas, who arrived wearing Parvat's jewels that Chanaky's agent had sold him. When Malay Ketu saw Rakshas wearing his father's jewels, he was convinced that there was indeed a treacherous plan against him. He executed his five allies in a brutal manner.
The rest of Malay Ketu's allies deserted him, disgusted at his treatment of the five slayed allies. Rakshas managed to escape, tracked by Chanaky's spies. One of Chanaky's spies, disguised as a friend of Chandan Das, got in touch with him. He told Rakshas that Chandan Das was about to be executed for refusing to divulge the location of Rakshas's family. Still Rakshas was willing to flee. He saw a boat near the bank of the river & requested the sailor-boats man to take him to the other bank of the river. When the boat reached middle of the river the Mallah (sailor, मल्लाह, नाविक) showed his face to Rakshas. It was Chanaky. He asked Rakshas not to quit and return as Mahamaty and to be faithful to the nation instead of an individual like Maha Nand. Rakshas now surrendered and agreed to the proposal, since he found truth in it. Thus he could save the life of Chandan Das. Chanaky, pleased with his loyalty to Chandan Das, had offered him clemency. Rakshas pledged allegiance to Chandr Gupt and agreed to be his prime minister, in return for release of Chandan Das and a pardon for Malay Ketu. Having appointed Rakshas as Mahamaty, Chanaky then unlocked his top knot, having achieved his objective.
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 neighbouring 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.
When Chanaky made a change in the manner of running the 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. He proved to be the ablest administrator of his period.
कौटिल्य अर्थशास्त्र :: यह कौटिल्य-चाणक्य द्वारा संस्कृत में रचित राज्य व्यवस्था, कृषि, न्याय एवं राजनीति आदि के विभिन्न पहलुओं पर विचार करने वाला ग्रन्थ है, जिसकी शैली उपदेशात्मक और सलाहात्मक है। आचार्य का मूल नाम विष्णु गुप्त था जो कि चणक के पुत्र होने के कारण चाणक्य और कुटिल बुद्धि-स्वभाव के कारण, कौटिल्य कहलाये।
आचार्य चाणक्य के पिता अर्थशास्त्र के विद्वान पण्डित और अध्यापक थे। उन्होंने ही प्राचीनतम उपलब्ध ग्रन्थों का अध्ययन और संकलन करके अर्थशास्त्र पर ग्रन्थ की रचना की थी जिसको आचार्य चाणक्य ने पूरा किया।
चणक को महानन्द ने बंदी बनाकर यातनाएँ दी थीं जिस कारण से विष्णुगुप्त ने पाटलिपुत्र से तक्षिला जाकर अध्ययन किया। वापस लौटने पर उनका महानन्द द्वारा घोर अपमान हुआ जिस वजह से ही उन्होंने नन्द को निर्मूल कर दिया और चन्द्रगुप्त को राजा बनाया।
चणक को महानन्द ने बंदी बनाकर यातनाएँ दी थीं जिस कारण से विष्णुगुप्त ने पाटलिपुत्र से तक्षिला जाकर अध्ययन किया। वापस लौटने पर उनका महानन्द द्वारा घोर अपमान हुआ जिस वजह से ही उन्होंने नन्द को निर्मूल कर दिया और चन्द्रगुप्त को राजा बनाया।
येन शास्त्रं च शस्त्रं च नन्दराजगता च भूः। अमर्षेणोद्धृतान्याशु तेन शास्त्रमिदंकृतम्॥
आचार्य ने अन्याय तथा कुशासन से क्रुद्ध होकर नन्दों के हाथ में गए हुए राज्य-शासन का उद्धार किया था।
अर्थशास्त्र ::
मनुष्याणां वृतिरर्थः।
मनुष्यों की वृत्ति-जीविका को अर्थ कहते हैं। मनुष्यों से संयुक्त भूमि ही अर्थ है। उसकी प्राप्ति तथा पालन के उपायों की विवेचना करनेवाले शास्त्र को अर्थशास्त्र कहते हैं। [चाणक्य सूत्र 15.1]
तस्या पृथिव्या लाभपालनोपायः शास्त्रमर्थ-शास्त्रमिति।
अर्थात मनुष्यों से युक्त भूमि को प्राप्त करने और उसकी रक्षा करने वाले उपायों का निरूपण करने वाला शास्त्र अर्थशास्त्र कहलाता है।
अर्थैरर्थाः प्रबध्यन्ते गजाः प्रतिगजैरिव।
अधनाः नराः यत्न-शतैः अपि अर्थान् न प्राप्नुवन्ति, प्रति-गजैः गजाः इव अर्थाः अर्थैः प्रबध्यन्ते॥
अर्थात धन से ही अधिक धन अर्जित होता है। निर्धन जन सौ प्रयत्न कर लें तो भी धन नहीं कमा सकते, जैसे हाथियों के माध्यम से हाथी वश में किए जाते हैं, वैसे ही धन से धन को कमाया जाता है।
सुखस्य मूलं धर्मः। धर्मस्य मूलं अर्थः। अर्थस्य मूलं राज्यं।
राज्यस्य मूलं इन्द्रिय जयः। इन्द्रियाजयस्य मूलं विनयः। विनयस्य मूलं वृद्धोपसेवा॥
अर्थात सुख का मूल है धर्म, धर्म का मूल है, अर्थ। अर्थ का मूल है, राज्य। राज्य का मूल है, इन्द्रियों पर विजय। इन्द्रिय जय का मूल है, विनय। विनय का मूल है, वृद्धों की सेवा। [चाणक्यसूत्र 1.6.1]
प्रजा सुखे सुखं राज्ञ: प्रजानां च हिते हितम्। नात्मप्रियं प्रियं राज्ञ: प्रजानां तु प्रियं प्रियम्॥ [1.19]
अर्थात प्रजा के सुख में राजा का सुख है, प्रजाके हित में उसका हित है। राजा का अपना प्रिय (स्वार्थ) कुछ नहीं है, प्रजा का प्रिय ही उसका प्रिय है।
इसका मुख्य विषय शासन-विधि अथवा शासन-विज्ञान है :-
कौटिल्येन नरेन्द्रार्थे शासनस्य विधि: कृत:।
अर्थात कौटिल्य ने राजाओं के लिये शासन विधि की रचना की है। स्पष्ट है कि आचार्य ने इसकी रचना राजनीति-शास्त्र तथा विशेषतया शासन-प्रबन्ध की विधि के रूप में की। अर्थशास्त्र की विषय-सूची में अमात्योत्पत्ति, मन्त्राधिकार, दूत-प्रणिधि, अध्यक्ष-नियुक्ति, दण्ड कर्म, षाड्गुण्यसमुद्देश्य, राजराज्ययो: व्यसन-चिन्ता, बलोपादान-काल, स्कन्धावार-निवेश, कूट-युद्ध, मन्त्र-युद्ध इत्यादि विषयों का उल्लेख है)। प्रथम अधिकरण के प्रारम्भ में ही स्वयं आचार्य ने इसे दण्डनीति नाम से सूचित किया है।
शुक्राचार्य ने दण्डनीति को अन्य सब विद्याओं का अन्तर्भाव मान लिया है :- क्योंकि 'शस्त्रेण रक्षिते देशे शास्त्रचिन्ता प्रवर्तते' की उक्ति के अनुसार शस्त्र (दण्ड) द्वारा सुशासित तथा सुरक्षित देश में ही वेद आदि अन्य शास्त्रों की चिन्ता या अनुशीलन हो सकता है। अत: दण्डनीति को अन्य सब विद्याओं की आधारभूत विद्या के रूप में स्वीकार करना आवश्यक है और वही दण्डनीति अर्थशास्त्र है। शुक्राचार्य ने इस वार्ता में कुसीद (बैंकिग) को भी वृत्ति के साधन-रूप में सम्मिलित किया है।
कौटिल्य ने वार्ता के तीन अंग कहे हैं :- कृषि, वाणिज्य तथा पशु-पालन, जिनसे प्राय: वृत्ति या जीविका का उपार्जन किया जाता था।
अर्थशास्त्र में समसामयिक राजनीति, अर्थनीति, विधि, समाजनीति तथा धर्मादि पर पर्याप्त प्रकाश पड़ता है। इस विषय के जितने ग्रंथ अभी तक उपलब्ध हैं, उनमें से वास्तविक जीवन का चित्रण करने के कारण, यह सबसे अधिक प्रमाणिक ग्रन्थ है। इस शास्त्र के प्रकाश में न केवल धर्म, अर्थ और काम का प्रणयन और पालन होता है अपितु अधर्म, अनर्थ तथा अवांछनीय का शमन भी होता है। [अर्थशास्त्र, 15.431]
अर्थशास्त्र एक व्यापक शास्त्र है जिसके अंतर्गत राजनीति शास्त्र, धर्म शास्त्र, अर्थ शास्त्र, न्याय व्यवस्था (कानून, संविधान) आदि का अध्ययन किया जाता है। आचार्य कौटिल्य ने अर्थशास्त्र के सम्बन्ध में ही राजनीति शास्त्र, आन्वीक्षिकी (दर्शन), त्रयी (वेद) तथा वार्ता एंव कानून आदि की व्याख्या की है। सम्पूर्ण समाज की रक्षा राजनीति या दण्ड व्यवस्था से होती है या रक्षित प्रजा ही अपने-अपने कर्त्तव्य का पालन कर सकती है।
अर्थशास्त्र को राजनीति और प्रशासन का शास्त्र है। महाभारत में अर्जुन को अर्थशास्त्र का विशेषज्ञ माना गया है।
समाप्तवचने तस्मिन्नर्थशास्त्र विशारदः। पार्थो धर्मार्थतत्त्वज्ञो जगौ वाक्यमनन्द्रित:॥
जिस प्रकार कौटिल्य ने जीवन के उद्देश्यों की प्राप्ति हेतु अर्थशास्त्र में अर्थ, काम और धर्म की व्याख्या की है उसी प्रकार वात्स्यायन ने कामसूत्र में अर्थ, धर्म और काम को मानव संबंधों की कड़ी माना है जो मूलरूप से वेदों की ऋचाओं, श्लोकों में उपलब्ध है।
कौटिल्य द्वारा अर्थशास्त्र में उद्धृत ऋषि-मुनि ::
(1). मानव-मनु के अनुयायी,
(2). बार्हस्पत्य-बृहस्पति के अनुयायी,
(3). औशनस-उशना अथवा शुक्राचार्य के मतानुयायी,
(4). भरद्वाज (द्रोणाचार्य के पिता),
(5). विशालाक्ष,
(6). पाराशर-भगवान् वेद व्यास के पिता,
(7). पिशुन (नारद),
(8). कौणपदन्त (भीष्म),
(9). वाताव्याधि (उद्धव) और
(10) बाहुदन्ती-पुत्र (इन्द्र)।
चाणक्य सूत्र के मुख्य अध्याय ::
(1). विनयाधिकरण, (2). अध्यक्षप्रचार, (3). धर्मस्थीयाधिकरण, (4). कंटकशोधन, (5). वृत्ताधिकरण, (6). योन्यधिकरण, (7). षाड्गुण्य, (8). व्यसनाधिकरण, (9). अभियास्यत्कर्माधिकरणा, (10). संग्रामाधिकरण, (11). संघवृत्ताधिकरण, (12). आबलीयसाधिकरण, (13). दुर्गलम्भोपायाधिकरण, (14). औपनिषदिकाधिकरण और (15). तंत्रयुक्त्यधिकरण। इनके अनेक उपविभाग (15 अधिकरण, 150 अध्याय, 180 उप विभाग तथा 6,000 श्लोक) हैं।
मनु, याज्ञवल्क्य आदि शास्त्रकारों ने भी इन तीन अंगों वाले वार्ताशास्त्र को स्वीकार किया है।
अर्थशास्त्र को सभी लेखकों-ग्रंथकारों ने दण्डनीति, राजनीति अथवा शासन विज्ञान के रूप में ही वर्णित किया है। अत: कौटिल्य के अर्थशास्त्र में कहीं-कहीं सम्पत्तिशास्त्र के धनोत्पादन, धनोपभोग तथा धन-विनिमय, धन-विभाजन आदि विषयों की भी प्रासंगिक चर्चा की गई है।
कौटिल्य अर्थशास्त्र के प्रथम अधिकरण का प्रारम्भिक वचन इस सम्बन्ध में अधिक प्रकाश डालने वाला है :-
पृथिव्या लाभे पालने च यावन्त्यर्थशास्त्राणि पूर्वाचार्ये: प्रस्तावितानि प्रायश: तानि संहृत्य एकमिदमर्थशास्त्र कृतम्।
अर्थात प्राचीन आचार्यों ने पृथ्वी जीतने और पालन के उपाय बतलाने वाले जितने अर्थशास्त्र लिखे हैं, प्रायः उन सबका सार लेकर इस एक अर्थशास्त्र का निर्माण किया गया है।
प्रजा सुखे सुखं राज्ञ: प्रजानां च हिते हितम्। नात्मप्रियं प्रियं राज्ञ: प्रजानां तु प्रियं प्रियम्॥1.19॥
अर्थात प्रजा के सुख में राजा का सुख है, प्रजा के हित में उसका हित है। राजा का अपना प्रिय (स्वार्थ) कुछ नहीं है, प्रजा का प्रिय ही उसका प्रिय है।
अर्थशास्त्र के अन्य प्राचीन ग्रन्थ ::
कामन्दक ने कौटिल्य के अर्थशास्त्र के आधार पर कामन्दकीय नीतिसार नामक 20 सर्गों में विभक्त काव्यरूप एक अर्थशास्त्र लिखा जो कि नैतिकता और विदेश-नीति के सिद्धान्तों पर भी विचार करता है।
सोमदेव सूरि का नीति वाक्यामृत, हेमचन्द्र का लघु अर्थनीति, भोज का युक्ति कल्पतरु, शुक्र का शुक्रनीति आदि कुछ सुप्रसिद्ध रचनाऍं हैं, जिनको नीति शास्त्र के व्यावहारिक पक्ष की व्याख्या करने वाले ग्रन्थों के अन्तर्गत भी गिना जा सकता है। चाणक्य नीति दर्पण, नीति श्लोकों का अव्यवस्थित संग्रह है।
शब्दावली word meaning ::
अमात्य :: राज्याधिकारी, मंत्री, सलाहकार; counsellor, ministers.
राजा :: King.
युवराज :: Crown prince.
सेनापति :: Chief of armed forces, commander.
परिषद् :: Council.
नागरिक :: सामान्य व्यक्ति; Citizens, populace.
पौरव्य वाहारिक:: City overseer.
कर्मिक :: Works officer.
कोषाध्यक्ष :: संनिधाता; treasurer.
कार्मान्तरिक :: Director, head of department.
अन्तेपाल :: Frontier commander.
अन्तर विंसक :: Head, guards
दौवारिक :: Chief guard.
गोप :: रक्षक, सहायक; Revenue officer.
पुरोहित :: priest, Chaplain.
करणिक :: Accounts officer
प्रशास्ता :: Administrator.
नायक :: head, team leader.
उपा युक्त :: Junior officer.
प्रदेष्टा :: सलाहकार; प्रधान, Magistrate.
शून्यपाल :: राज-प्रतिनिधि, प्राचीन काल में वह व्यक्ति जो राजा की अविद्यमानता, असमर्थता आदि के कारण अस्थायी रूप से राज्य का प्रधान बनाया जाता था; regent.
अध्यक्ष :: Superintendent.
शब्दावली word meaning ::
अमात्य :: राज्याधिकारी, मंत्री, सलाहकार; counsellor, ministers.
राजा :: King.
युवराज :: Crown prince.
सेनापति :: Chief of armed forces, commander.
परिषद् :: Council.
नागरिक :: सामान्य व्यक्ति; Citizens, populace.
पौरव्य वाहारिक:: City overseer.
कर्मिक :: Works officer.
कोषाध्यक्ष :: संनिधाता; treasurer.
कार्मान्तरिक :: Director, head of department.
अन्तेपाल :: Frontier commander.
अन्तर विंसक :: Head, guards
दौवारिक :: Chief guard.
गोप :: रक्षक, सहायक; Revenue officer.
पुरोहित :: priest, Chaplain.
करणिक :: Accounts officer
प्रशास्ता :: Administrator.
नायक :: head, team leader.
उपा युक्त :: Junior officer.
प्रदेष्टा :: सलाहकार; प्रधान, Magistrate.
शून्यपाल :: राज-प्रतिनिधि, प्राचीन काल में वह व्यक्ति जो राजा की अविद्यमानता, असमर्थता आदि के कारण अस्थायी रूप से राज्य का प्रधान बनाया जाता था; regent.
अध्यक्ष :: Superintendent.
