Chanakya was a teacher in Takshashila, an ancient center of learning, and was responsible for the creation of the first Mauryan Empire on the Indian subcontinent. He helped establish the empire by training Chandragupta Maurya and advising him to defeat the Nanda Dynasty and resist the invasion of Alexander the Great. Chanakya wrote books on political science and economics, most notably the Arthashastra, which had a lasting influence and established him as a pioneer in those fields.

1. “A man is born alone and dies alone; and he experiences the good and bad consequences of
his karma alone; and he goes alone to hell or the Supreme abode“Chanakya
Introduction
In today’s world mired with confused political relationships and deteriorating financial
health, we are always on the lookout for a person who can guide us in these difficult times,
a leader who can rise above the occasion and show us the way, a guru who is not only adept
in political and worldly matters but also whose knowledge and wisdom is undisputed. But
we often forget that Indian history has already been blessed with many such personalities
and the one amongst them who stands the tallest is Chanakya.
Chanakya is also identified by the names “Kautilya” and “Vishnugupta”. He was a professor
(acharya) of political science at the Takshashila University and later the Prime Minister of
the Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. He is regarded as one of the earliest known political
thinkers, economists and king-makers. He was the man to envision the first Indian empire by
unification of the then numerous kingdoms in the Indian sub-continent and provide the
impetus for fights against the Greek conqueror Alexander. Chanakya is perhaps less well
known outside India compared to other social and political philosophers of the world like
Confucius and Machiavelli. His foresight and wide knowledge coupled with politics of
expediency helped found the mighty Mauryan Empire in India. He compiled his political
ideas into the 'Arthashastra', one of the world's earliest treatises on political thought and
social order. His ideas remain popular to this day in India. In Jawaharlal Nehru's Discovery of
India, Chanakya has been called the Indian Machiavelli.
Two books are attributed to Chanakya: “Arthashastra” and “Neetishastra” which is also
known as “Chanakya-Niti”.
The Arthashastra (literally 'the Science of Material Gain' in Sanskrit) is arguably the first
systematic book on economics. It
discusses monetary and fiscal policies, welfare, international relations, and war strategies in
detail.
Neetishastra is a treatise on the ideal way of life, and shows Chanakya's in-depth study of
the Indian way of life. Chanakya also developed “Neeti-Sutras” (aphorisms - pithy sentences)
that tell people how they should behave. Of these well-known 455 sutras, about 216 refer
to raaja-neeti (the do's and don'ts of running a kingdom). Apparently, Chanakya used these
sutras to groom Chandragupta and other selected disciples in the art of ruling a kingdom.
Chanakya was a teacher in Takshashila, an ancient centre of learning, and was responsible
for the creation ofMauryan Empire, the first of its kind on the Indian subcontinent.
Chanakya has been considered as the pioneer of the field of economics and political
science. In the Western world, he has been referred to as The Indian Machiavelli, although
Chanakya's works predate Machiavelli's by about 1,800 years.

2. After going through the various available accounts, one can say without an iota of doubt
that Chanakya was a very brilliant person. He was full of determination in achieving any
objective. He was well versed in all 'Shastras' or branches of knowledge, an expert
economist; a statesman par excellence. He was a master in the four methods - of
persuasion, enticement, sowing dissension, and punishment or war. He was mature in the
strategy of war, and very calculative in his approach. None could makeup what was going on
his mind. So secretive was he in his method, and far-sighted. In any endeavor, his
calculations never went wrong and he never missed his aim. He was at the same time very
religious and given to strict renunciation. Apparently of a harsh nature, he could employ
various methods carefully at the right time to destroy enemies. There was no branch of
knowledge, which he had not mastered. He was widely experienced in the world. There
seemed to be nothing, which he did not know. He was, in other words, a conglomeration of
all things that make a genius. Considered in any way, persons equal to Chanakya are very
rare in the world. An expression "like the strategy of Chanakya" has become proverbial. He
was the man who destroyed the despotic Nanda kings, put Chandragupta on the throne and
brought into being the great Maurya dynasty of rules.

3. Historical Background
Chanakya (c.350 - c.275 BC), was born in a family of Brahmin as the son of AcharyaChanak in
Patliputra, Magadh (Modern day Patna, Bihar).
AcharyaChanak named his son as "Chanakya". Being a teacher himself, he knew the
importance of education. Taxila was one of the world centers 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 childhood. 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 favor 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.
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 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.
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 areBhadrabhatt
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

4. 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.
Dhanananda, the ruler of Patliputra was unscrupulous and cruel by nature. He was always
busy gathering money without thinking about consequences.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. 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.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!”
While scampering through the streets of Patliputra in rage and anger, Chanakya met
Chandragupta who got impressed and attracted by the intelligence of Chanakya.
Chandragupta told Chanakya about the wrongdoings of Nandas over his family which greatly
moved Chanakya. 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. Also he saw
the leadership potential in Chandragupta and was impressed by the sound intellectual
capability of the young boy. 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. So, he took Chandragupta for a formal training at Takshashila and
ensured that he received a proper well rounded training and education.

5. By the time Chandragupta's education was over, significant events in the history of Bharat
were taking place under the very eyes of Chanakya and Chandragupta. The Greek conqueror
Alexander the Great invaded the Indian sub-continent. His offensive upon the land's
patchwork of small Hindu empires proved to be highly successful due to the disunity of the
petty rulers.
Chanakya thought that their first task should, be to drive out the Greeks.Details are not
available as to how exactly Chanakya and Chandragupta fought against the Greeks.
Chandragupta was not a king, nor had he any position. It would by no means be easy task
for one to gather a big army. But even this seemingly impossible work was made possible
because of Chanakya's expertise. They toured across India and gathered soldiers not only by
befriending various kings but also seeking help from the mercenary communities.
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 next task before Chanakya and Chandragupta was to dethrone the Nanda Ring. The
Nanda kings were ruling cruelly and imposing taxes as they liked on the subjects, and had
earned the hatred of the people. People were praying for liberation from their oppression.
Chanakya's fight against the king was not merely because of personal insult, which had been
meted out to him, but also with a desire to free the people from unbridled taxation and the
oppression. But dethroning the Nanda king was not an easy task. In the early stages they
had to suffer defeat. Chandragupta began his fight in the middle of the kingdom. He was
defeated. Chandragupta and Chanakya learnt lessons from these mistakes. Then he changed
his strategy and attacked from the borders of the kingdom.They now stationed troops in the
conquered regions. So those enemies would not raise and cause any trouble.
With the dual obstacles of the Nandas and Alexander's troops out of the way, Chanakya
used every political device and intrigue to unite the greater portion of the Indian sub-
continent. Under the stewardship of Chanakya, King Chandragupta Maurya conquered all
the lands up to Iran in the North West and down to the extremities of Karnataka or Mysore
state in the South. It was by his wits alone that this skinny and ill-clad brahmanadirected the
formation of the greatest Indian empire ever before seen in history. Thus the indigenous
Vedic culture of the sacred land of Bharata was protected and the spiritual practices of the
Hindus could go on unhampered.
Understanding the true aspect of CHANAKYA’s life
Though 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 real
aim of Chanakya. What he wanted was a truly united and smooth running kingdom that
should spread happiness among the people.

6. Some of the learning’s that could be derived from his journey of life can be summed up
under the following points
Envisioning a dream and fighting for it
Chanakya envisioned India as a nation which would place itself as the forerunner –
politically, economically and socially. And in order to achieve the same, he made sure that
the borders of the country are safe from foreign invasions and then strived for the facilities
that would be help the kingdom thrive. For this, he not only risked everything but also
strived for the welfare of the society incessantly.
“The one excellent thing that can be learned from a lion is that whatever a man intends
doing should be done by him with a whole-hearted and strenuous effort”
“Once you start a working on something, don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it.
People who work sincerely are the happiest”
Bolstering the present as well as planning for the future
In order to make sure that the rulers of the kingdom don’t go astray because of the power in
their hands and are always guided by true wisdom, Chanakya wrote books, 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.
“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 wouldbe 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”
Courage and perseverance
The entire life of Chanakya is a true testimony of the portrayal of the above mentioned
virtues. He saw the existing problem with the divided territories of the country in fighting
with the foreign invaders and single-handedly tried resolving it. He faced criticism and
regular defeats but with his never-say-die attitude, he always came up with a different plan,
a different strategy to overcome the predicament and strived for success. Not only that, he
also had the guts to speak his heart out even in front of the rulers, which shows his strong
inclination to democratic values and the audacity to put his views through.
“As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it”
“It is better to die than to preserve this life by incurring disgrace. The loss of life causes but a
moment's grief, but disgrace brings grief every day of one's life”
Importance of knowledge and wisdom

7. The life of Chanakya exemplifies the importance that he laid upon a person’s thirst for
knowledge and the development of wisdom through it. Even after he recognized the
leadership potential in Chandragupta Maurya, he took him to Takshashila to impart him the
necessary education. He made sure that Chandragupta is exposed to various teachings:
strategy, philosophy, art, war skills, etc. His foresight and wide knowledge coupled with
politics of expediency founded the mighty Mauryan Empire in India. He was a great laureate
of economics with a glittering intellect to perceive the intricate dynamics of the various
economic activities and principles. It was his immense knowledge bank that helped him to
write books: Arthashastra, and Neetishastra, which are applicable and practical even today,
about 2400 years after they were written.
“Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats
the beauty and the youth”
“The life of an uneducated man is as useless as the tail of a dog which neither covers its rear
end, nor protects it from the bites of insects”
Resolving the problem and not its symptoms
Chanakya, apart from being a man of wisdom and unfailing strategies, propounded
Neetishastra, the ideal way of living for every individual of the society. He looked at the
country like a person surrounded by problems. He worked at the total annihilation of
problems by the roots. The re-appearance of troubles only shows its growth.
“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”

8. Practicality of the solutions: Creative solution to achieve the desired results
As a person, Chanakya has been described variously, as a saint, as a ‘ruthless administrator’,
as the ‘king maker’, a devoted nationalist, a selfless ascetic and a person devoid of all
morals. He created controversy by saying ‘The ends justify the means’ and the ruler should
use any means to attain his goals and his actions required no moral sanctions. All his written
works namely, “Arthashastra”, “Neetishastra” and “Chanakya-neeti” were unique because
of their rational approach and an unabashed advocacy of real politic. His views were
dimensionally novel. He recommended even espionage and the liberal use of provocative
agents as machineries of the state. In politics, he even attested the use of false accusations
and killings by a king’s secret agent without any ambiguities. The observance of morals and
ethics was secondary to the interests of the ruler. Some of his stark views made him into an
ambivalent personality for the world.
“Do not be very upright in your dealings for you would see by going to the forest that
straight trees are cut down while crooked ones are left standing”
“Do not reveal what you have thought upon doing, but by wise council keep it secret being
determined to carry it into execution”
“Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous”