Chanakya, The Author of This Book (An Impression)
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Subject Matter of the Book


This book was composed for kings & ministers. Author says "I narrate this collection on Policies for Managing a Kingdom." It gives them "sermon of virtue & duty, what should be done and what should not be done, what is auspicious and what is inauspicious." It is a comprehensive & complete guide and provides all knowledge which is essential for them to understand and run their kingdom successfully. Chanakya says "I will narrate that science, by merely knowing which, a person can consider himself as knowing everything." In short, it is comprehensive book on statecraft - and covers all that a king need to understand & know.
 

Author: A Legendry Personality


Chanakya, the author of this book, was first Prime Minister of the most glorious empire in ancient India. Today, the Diplomatic Enclave in New Delhi is named after him as "Chanakya Puri" & is home to Ambassadors from all major countries in world. Fame in his lifetime came because he was the strategic, tactical, & administrative brain behind the founding of an empire in 3rd century BC by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. The empire, at it's zenith, spanned a large part of present day India, Pakistan, & Bangladesh. Chanakya's obvious interest and expertise was in wars. He admits that a fierce war was like a "festival" to him (12.13).
 

His Books of Everlasting Fame


Chanakya's fame has lasted across 23 centuries because of the books he composed. People who read them found them useful and have preserved them for so many centuries. These include: [i] Artha Shastra: His most famous book which is on management of state politics, economy & finance, society. [ii] Chanaya Neeti: This book which I have translated here, a compilation of general wisdom. [iii] Chanakya Sutra: Another book, which has maxims on general wisdom stated in Chanakya's own words.
 

The above books, written in Sanskrit, have been used as textbooks in teaching as well as guiding many kings & ministers in India over the centuries. Here lies the secret of lasting fame which Chanakya has earned.
 

Relevant Today


Can a book compiled 2300 years back be relevant & meaningful today? Just read what Chanakya wrote about wealth: "One who has wealth has friends, one who has wealth has relatives, one who has wealth is respected by people, one who has wealth is thought to be knowledgeable & wise." This could well be a truism written in 21st century. Reading many such things in it, I believe that in several respects men & women have not changed for 2300 years and the book is relevant even today.
 

In the wholle collectionof 334 verses, there are about two dozen verses which can be said as not acceptable by 21st century's value system. These two dozen have to do with negative attitude to women, partial support to caste system, and a couple of statements which are approximations in light of today's scientific knowledge. The remaining more than 300 verses are true even today and can be considered absolute truths!
 

Let us read on!!!