Shocking things about Chanakya and his life everyone should know
It’s not necessary that a great thinker is always right about everything. Acharya Chanakya was undoubtedly a great economist and revolutionary. His works of wisdom are more than 2000 years old, still many of his teachings are relevant and useful in today’s world. His books ‘Arthashastra’ and ‘Nitishashtra’ cover subjects starting with economics to ethics and philosophy to Politics. Though he tried to present his views on various topics, his theories on administration are one of the best. Let us know some interesting things about his life in this slide show….
#11. According to a popular legend mentioned in the Jain texts
According to a popular legend mentioned in the Jain texts, Chanakya used to add small doses of poison to the food eaten by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya in order to make him immune to the poisoning attempts by the enemies. Unaware, Chandragupta once fed some of his food to his queen, Durdhara, who was seven days away from delivery. The queen, not immune to the poison, collapsed and died within a few minutes. In order to save the heir to the throne, Chanakya cut the queen’s belly open and extracted the foetus just as she died. The baby was named Bindusara, because he was touched by a drop (bindu) of blood having poison.
#10. Chanakya, apart from being a well-known scholar and economist, was a shrewd and cunning politician.
Chanakya, apart from being a well-known scholar and economist, was a shrewd and cunning politician. In a book called ‘Chanakya’s Chant’, written by Ashwin Sangi, he was the one who united the kingdoms of India against the attack of Alexander the Great. According to one of the stories, he supposedly raised an army of young girls known as ‘vishakanyas’, which he used very effectively against his enemies. These girls were given small amount of poison everyday from childhood till puberty to make them immune from poison. When they used to reach a right age, Chanakya used to use them to lure and kill his enemies as even a kiss of these girls was highly venomous.
#9. His thoughts on women are highly condemned in today’s scenario.
His thoughts on women are highly condemned in today’s scenario. He said that women are by nature vile and corrupt and should not be trusted.
#8. As per Chanakya …
As per Chanakya, a woman does not become as holy by offering charity, by observing hundreds of fasts, or by sipping sacred water, as by sipping the water used to wash her husband’s feet.
#7.About wife, Chanakya said …
About wife, Chanakya said that a good wife is one who serves her husband in the morning like a mother does, loves him in the day like a sister does and pleases him like a prostitute in the night.
#6. The heart of a woman is not united …
The heart of a woman is not united; it is divided. While she is talking to one man, she looks lustfully at another and thinks fondly of a third in her heart.
#5. He whose wife’s actions are in accordance with his wishes has heaven on earth.
He whose wife’s actions are in accordance with his wishes has heaven on earth.
#4. A wise man should marry a virgin of a respectable family even if she is deformed
A wise man should marry a virgin of a respectable family even if she is deformed.
#3. According to one legend, Chanakya retired to the jungle and starved himself to death.
According to one legend, Chanakya retired to the jungle and starved himself to death. According to another legend mentioned by the Jain writer Hemachandra, he died as a result of a conspiracy by Subandhu, one of Bindusara’s ministers. Subandhu, who did not like Chanakya, told Bindusara that Chanakya was responsible for the murder of his mother. Bindusara asked the nurses, who confirmed the story of his birth. Bindusara was horrified and enraged. When Chanakya, who was an old man by this time, learned that the King was angry with him, he decided to end his life. In accordance with the Jain tradition, he decided to starve himself to death. By this time, the King had found out the full story: He was not directly responsible for his mother’s death, which was an accident. He asked Subandhu to convince Chanakya to give up his plan to kill himself. However, Subandhu, pretending to conduct a ceremony for Chanakya, burned Chanakya alive.
#2. Chanakya was blessed with immense intelligence
Chanakya was blessed with immense intelligence and could figure out reliable solutions for every problem. He even acquired the knowledge of medicine and astronomy.
#1. He was the man responsible for creating the first biggest Indian empire
He was the man responsible for creating the first biggest Indian empire with the help of Chandragupta who became emperor when he was just 19.