Page 19 - Sri Canakya Niti

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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