CHANAKYA NEETI

Manoj Publications

168 pages, Rs 80

Our present time, (also accused as Kalyug by many) has provoked pinching questions in each one of us. We are dog-tired of the socio-political and economic diseases inflicted on us. Be it corruption or recession, blasts or blames, we are all fixed in a huge rut. One way to jump out of it is to follow Guru Chanakya’s advice in Chanakya Neeti – lucidly explained, briefly commented and accurately translated by Vishwamitra Sharma.

Sharma rightly points out, “Chanakya was a great scholar, the economist, the strategist and the teacher. His erudite thoughts serve as Dos and Don’ts of the everyday life of any person who wants to make his life a grand success.” Thus people from Corporate Houses to politicians to the lay man all can easily benefit from Chanakya’s sharp thinking.

Though unappealing in looks, he was the epitome of intelligence, inventiveness, ingenuity, knowledge, subtlety, strategies and tact, the fruitful combination ever seen only in him. In fact, in his guidance, a simpleton child became one of the most successful Emperors, fondly remembered as Emperor Chandra Gupta Maurya.

Through Chanakya’s ideologies we see the latter’s actions and gains. If his directions can lead a commonplace boy of the medieval times to become a victorious king of the nation, then they can definitely show us ways to live a more rewarding life.

     The most striking words by Vishwamitra Sharma are, “For Chanakya, the Emperor Chandra Gupta was a living testimony of his achievements and accomplishments of life.”

The author also goes on to say, “As Kautilya he wrote Arthshastra, a draft of a constitution of an ideal state”. Moreover, Sharma adds, “Due to his political wisdom and diplomatic skills in empire building, Chanakya is called ‘Machiavelli of India’.” Obviously, in a positive sense.

Chanakya Neeti – as the original text was written in Sanskrit. The Sanskrit Shlokas or couplets or quatrains are first precisely translated into English and then explained in the most simple and effective way. Often interesting examples are given to emphasis certain tactics applied by Chanakya. Through these Shlokas, Chanakya has given us the political understanding that he had collected from many holy writings in the form of a compact guide.

One needs to observe that though Chanakya’s tips are highly practical and easily applicable; his certain ideologies prove wrong and biased. He was highly prejudiced for Brahmins and against women, due to the stereotypes existent during his times. However, Vishwamitra Sharma has clearly objected them and placed a fair view.

Chanakya may have his flaws, but he is one quintessence of success, greatly required in today’s time. Several times our heart conflicts with our head. Quick decision-making capability, running after the right rewards, helping the needy yet surviving resourcefully has become a grinding challenge for all of us. In these tough times, if Chanakya or people like him can not govern or guide us, we can hopefully rely on Chanakya’s highly efficient Neeti (strategies) to direct us in our testing times.