Dr.

Santosh Bagwe

Chanakyas Life
Chanakya (350 - 275 BC), also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta, was a professor (acharya) of political science at the Takshasila University and 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, but is definitely considered to be the first genuine political theorist in Indian history. His foresight and wide knowledge coupled with politics of expediency helped found the mighty Mauryan Empire in India. He compiled his political ideas into '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. Nehru [1998, p. 123] describes Chanakya as follows: "He sat with the reins of empire in his hands and looked upon the emperor more as a loved pupil than as master. Simple and austere in his life, uninterested in the pomp and pageantry of high position." The Chanakya Sutras have the unique distinction of being the principles which have been demonstrated to have been used successfully in practice to achieve good results on a sustainable basis. We do need to look for those principles that are likely to make sense in our own social and work culture. These would hopefully deliver better results for all concerned the customers, the investors, the employees, the vendors and the society. Chanakya was the first thinker of the ancient times who nurtured the sense of nationalism and inculcated in the minds of the people that they owed themselves. Chanaka Niti is, in fact, this great thinkers pithy observation to impart the practical wisdom to the people of his time. But these teachings are so fundamental relevance is almost ever lasting. Chanakya believed not only in imparting instructions but in also seeing their practical implementation.

Dr. Santosh Bagwe

Uniqueness of Chanakya
Based on own experience Practical & pragmatic Practical but still ethical Academic and practitioner

Sutras of Chanakya with Rational Belief

A king must develop his skills with rational thinking. Common men also become wealthy if king becomes wealthy. One should not be stubborn during counselling / discussion. Only powerful should attack on the weak. Dont fight with equally or more powerful people. A powerless king should take the shelter of a powerful king. To aspire for wealth is not at all wrong. The rigidity of speech harms more than the fire. A person is responsible for his development or ruin. Money is the base of all the assignments. All the assignments can be accomplished with a few endeavours, if money is available. It is rare to furnish a work without any flaw. Dont begin a work which can not be completed. The one who depends on luck never achieves success in his/her assignments. Evaluate your power before commencing any work. More pressure makes a man sad. 2

Dr. Santosh Bagwe The anger of fools ruins them only.

It is rare to find a person of innocent nature. If truth is not pleasant to listen, that should not be told. Even learned people can make mistakes. A flawless diamond is not found. Every relationship is linked with the target. Only good habit wins the enemies. Never insult a man. Do the work which is more fruitful if you need to do many assignments. Dont argue with fools. Mercy is the motherhood of religion. If a great king becomes poor the world does not respect him. There is nothing uneatable for a hungry person. There is no enemy bigger than ones own pride. One should not be angry with his enemy in an assembly. Never violate the limits. A man who expects flower, never waters a dry plant. Todays pigeon is better than tomorrows peacock. Sadness and happiness go hand-in-hand in common peoples life. Development or destruction is controlled by ones speech/tongue. Baseless bad comments are not forgotten for a long time. Dont fight with the powerful when you are supported by a powerless/ a weak. One develops ones intelligence, according to the ideas/talks one listens. A man himself invites his miseries. 3

Dr. Santosh Bagwe Never be impatient for a thing which is gone in others hand. Non-violence is the symptom of religion.

Dr. Santosh Bagwe

Comparative Study of Chanakya Neeti and REBT

Sr. No Irrational Beliefs
I must be loved and approved of by significant people in my life and if Im not, its awful, and it means that I am good for nothing. When people behave badly or unfairly, they should be blamed, reprimanded and punished; they are bad o rotten individuals I must have my way, and its awful when things are not the way I like them to be. I should be very anxious about events that are uncertain or potentially dangerous.

Chanakya Neeti
Anavasthikayasya Na Juna Na Vane Sukham Jano Dhati Sansadargaad Vanam Sagavivarjanaat.

Explanation
He whose mind is not steady doesnt get happiness either amongst the people or in the loneliness of the jungle. When lonely he longs for company and when in company he yearns for loneliness.

Eepsitam Mansah Sarva Kasya Sampaddyate Sukham. Daivaayattam Yatah Sarva Tasmaat Santoshmaashrayet.

I am not worthwhile unless I am thoroughly competent, adequate, and achieving at all times, or at least most of the time

Who gets all that one aspires for? Everything one gets is what is destained for one. Hence all must seek satisfaction in whatever they receive. Patram Naiv Yava Karreravit Pe If leaves do not sprout in the kareel Dosho Vasantasya Kim. (capparis ahpylla) tree, is it the flaw Nollokaappyavalokayate Yadi Diva of the spring season? If an owl fails Sooryasya Kim Dooshanam? to see in daylight, is it the flaw of Varshaa Naiv Patati the sun? if the rain-drop doesnt fall Chaatakmukhe Meghasya Kim in the mouth of chatak (cuculus Dooshanam. Yattpoorva Vidhinaa melanoleucus) is it the flaw of the Lalaat Likhitam Tanmanaarjitu clouds? Who can alter the fate Kah Kshamah? ordained as the destiny? (chanakya says that individual deficiency is caused by destiny or which external circumstances cannot be held responsible.) Kaashtham Kalpataruh Kalpataru (the divine tree fulfilling Sumerurachalashinintaamanih all desires) is wooden: the sumeru Prashtarah.Soonyasteevrakarah is a hill, the philosophers stone is Shashih Kshayakarah Kshaarohi but a stone; the sun has scorching Nirvaaridhih.Kaamo rays, the moon is waxing and Nashtatanurbalirditishuto Nittya waining, the sea (water) is saline, Prashuh Kaamagoh. Naittaaste the kamadeva (the god of love) is Tulayaami Bho Raghupate bodyless; bali is a demon, the cow 5

Dr. Santosh Bagwe in at least one major area. Kassyopabhaa Deeyate. of plenty is an animal O Ram! I fail o compare you with anyone (i.e everything with best of the attributes have some inherent defect in it). you are incomparable. Gold has no fragrance, sugarcanes have no fruits and the sandalwood has no flowers. A scholar is never wealthy and a king is never long aged. Why did not this presciences was given to Brahma (the creator). (All good things are not perfect. The best metal gold satisfies all other senses but has no fragrances. Similarly sugarcane, the best stem, is fruitless and the sandal, the best wood has no flower. chanakya says that had the creator been advised earlier, he would have made good these minor deficiency to bring his creation to perfection. Impliedly it also means that nothing is perfect in the world.

Theres got to be a perfect solution to this problem; I must be certain and have perfect control over things. 6

Gandham Suvarne Phalmikshudande Naakaaripushpam Kalu Chandanasya. Viddvan Dhanee Bhoopatideerghajeevee. Dhaatuh Puraa Kiapina Bhuddhidoabhoot

The world absolutely should be fair and just. I should be comfortable and without pain at all time.

Kassya Doshah Kule Naasti Vyaadhinaa Ko Na Peeditah. Vyhasanam Kenna Praaptam Kasya Saukhyam Nirantaram.

Whose family is blemishless? who is not troubled by diseases? Who doesnt suffer grief and who is perpetually happy, (all these observations are based on the bitter facts which says that grief and misery are the part and parcel of the human existences in the world.)

I may be going crazy but I must not; that would be unbearable. Its easier to avoid Taavad Bhayeshu Bhetavyam lifes difficulties Yaadav Bhayamanaagatam. than to face them. Aagatam Tu Bhayam Veekshaya Prahartavyamshankayaa.

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One should be apprehensive of the cause of fear till it is far off. But when it comes close, fight it undaunted. (this is a natural human psychology that we apprehend the danger till it is far off. When it comes close the only way to deal with it is to take on with total might, for in that stage the apprehension vanishes. Chanakya also confirms that this is the only way to overcome the fear.) 6

Dr. Santosh Bagwe I need someone stronger than myself on whom to depend or rely. Pitaa Rattnaakaro Yasya Laxamirasya Sahodari. Shakho Bhikshaatanam Kuryaann Dattamupatishthati. He whose father ea is the mine of the precious gems, whose real sister is he goddess (of wealth) Lakshmi, that conch-shell as to resort begging. What could be more anomalous than this? (conchshells are also produced by the sea. It is believed in the Hindu Mythology that h Godesssof Lakshmi originated from the sea. This way she is a sister to the conch-shell as both are produced by the same father sea. Sea is also supposed o be the place of origin of many a gem. The conch shells are otherwise worthless, barring their use in creating a peculiar sound. So building his full allegory, Chanakya opines with a touch of irony that even with such rich relations, the conch-shell has to survive begging. Man himself does action and himself bears its consequences. Himself he roams about in the world and himself gets liberated from this cycle of birth and death (chanakya says that man is free to act but he must bear its consequences, whether good or bad. It is only his balance-sheet of the action and its consequence has been set a naught that he becomes liberated. Hence to achieve this liberation is also well within the control of man.) One should not grieve for the past and worry or the future. The wise care for the present and chart their lifes course accordingly. (care for the present sets right not only the past but also the future. The wise dont cry on the split milk nor worry for the future.)

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Emotional misery is due to external factors, and I have little ability to control or change my feelings.

Svayam Karma Karottyaattamaa Svayam Tattphalamashnute Svayam Bhramati Sansaare Svayam Tasmaaddvimuchchayate

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My past is the cause of my present problems; and because these events were such strong influences, they will continue to affect me, and I cant free myself from them.

Gatam Shoko Na Kartavyo Bhavishyam Naiva Chintayet Vartamaanen Kaalen Pravartante Vishakshanaah