CHANAKYA

Yes, you read it right. This article is about “chanakya-the kingmaker”

Almost everyone would have known the name “chanakya” at some point in life. I heard his name when my mom said about a guy who got his job done in a clever way. She said he has a brain of chanakya. Some would have known about him in movies and serials based on Chandragupta Maurya. 

He is traditionally identified as Kauṭilya or Vishnugupta. There were so many kingmakers in history but why is he so special!! I had this doubt and I read about him in a book called “Chanakya in you”. I am not here to provide you a review about the book. This article is about chanakya’s teachings in that book and how it can be applied even in modern life.

POWER OF A WISE MAN

“An arrow, discharged by an archer, may or may not kill one person, or may not kill even one; but the intellect operated by a wise man would kill even children in the womb”.

This is true in present day. People now-a-days prefer playing mind games rather than open wars which leads to loss of lives. It teaches us to use intellect in the best way.

Beware of wise people!!

TEACHER'S ADVICE TO A STUDENT

“During the remaining parts of the day and the night, he should learn new things and familiarize himself with those already learnt, and listen repeatedly to things not learnt”.

People need to be constantly learning. Learning is much more than books or school. Life puts us in unexpected situations which teach us more lessons.

Keep learning all time!!

ON BUSINESS

“Rulership can be successfully carried out (only) with the help of associates. One wheel alone does not turn. Therefore, he should appoint ministers and listen to their opinion.”

It can never be a one-man show in business. Just like a king needs associates to run administration, similarly to scale up the business, one needs more associates.

Seek the help of others!!

 ACTIVITY TO CREATE WEALTH

“Be ever active in the management of the economy because the root of the wealth is economic activity; inactivity brings material distress. Without an active policy, both current prosperity and future gains are destroyed.”

He stressed on the need to be active in economic activity in order to achieve great heights in life and create wealth. Without activeness, there is a chance of losing current prosperity in addition to destroying our future gains.

Be active people!!

 ON PARTNERSHIP

 “In work that can be achieved with the help of an associate, he should resort to dual policy.”

Working with a partner is better than doing all the work yourself. In such a partnership, one should think of a dual policy, meaning a win-win situation.

Think before choosing a business partner!!

 ON PARENTING

“For the first five years, love your child, for the next ten years discipline them, and after that, consider them your friends”.

Every parent has a own way of bringing up their child. Chanakya says this is the best way to bring up a child.

What is your way of bringing up a child??

ON TRAINING

“He (the king) should strive to impart training to the prince.”

“When the prince is ready for it (knowledge), experts should train him.”

A person doesn’t remain in the same position. At some point, it must be given to young, talented and efficient person. It is the duty of the higher officials to train the younger generation.

It’s time to pass it on!!

There is so much wisdom in our ancient scriptures. It’s high time we start paying attention to them.