Page 19 - Sri Canakya Niti
P. 19

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION

           Shri Chanakya Pandit, also known as Kautilya, or sometimes as
           Vishnugupta, attained lasting fame some 2300 years ago for two
           reasons: (1.) his Sanskrit writings on polity, and (2.) the practical
           and effective counsel he gave to King Chandragupta Maurya who
           conquered most of India under his guidance. Of his writings, Artha
           Shastra is a well-known work and many editions have come out in
           English. As implied by its title, Artha Shastra is a scripture of economic
           development for kings and court pandits. Some of its topics are: the

           duties of the king, qualifications of ministers, formation of villages,
           tax collection, proper punishments for offenders, the training of spies,
           declaring war and making peace and protection of the citizens.

           Chanakya’s Niti Shastra is this great court pandit’s most famous work.
           Niti is variously translated as “the science of morality,” “common
           sense,” “expediency” or “ethics.” Hence Shri Chanakya Niti Shastra
           contains sagacious wisdom that may be applied to our daily affairs
           with profi t. In other words, Chanakya herewith teaches us how to be
           happy in mundane life. If the devotee can improve his execution of
           devotional service unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord
           Shri Krishna by taking practical counsel from Chanakya Pandit, then
           the value of these proverbs will be increased. Past acharyas have said
           that just as a woman who has a lover serves her own husband with
           even greater attention, similarly, the devotee, though always absorbed
           in thoughts of the Lord, carries out his so-called mundane activities
           with even greater expertise.

           Although many of Chanakya’s shlokas or aphorisms were borrowed
           from earlier works, Chanakya’s name reverberates through history
           for his ability to practically apply shastric wisdom. It can be said that

           Chanakya’s uncanny proficiency to outguess the enemy at every step
           and to guide his king to resounding victory has caused his name to


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