Ethics of Chanakya
Author : :Tantrik Yogi Ramesh
Abstract by: S.Manimala
Chanakya was the first great
political thinker of
ancient India.He lived in the ancient city of Patliputra (now Patna in northern India). By his sheer political acumanship, Chanakya destroyed the imperial Nandas and established Maurya
Dynasty with Chandragupta Maurya as the king. Chandragupta Maurya , the disciple of Chanakya, humbled his enemies and expanded .The Mauryan rule ushered in many changes on the socio-economic front of ancient India.
After Chandragupta’s coronation, Chanakya retired to forests to pen ten books comprising six thousand verses in Sanskrit. Most notable among his
works were –
Chanakyaniti and Arthasastras. Even today, these books are considerd as first documents of modern Indian works on political economy or philosophy.
This book –Ethics of Chanakya, dwells on Chanakyaniti (Tenets of Chanakya) with reference to
social life of Hindus and political ethics. These nitis (tenets or ethics) of Chanakya have found place in the literary works in Srilanka , Myanmar , Tibet and even in Arab countries. Though Chanakya wrote these books in the sixth century, his teachings on social life and political
Ethics still holds good to modern India. Notwithstanding the rapid economic reforms and technological advancements being witnessed in India, Chanakya nitis are still beacon lights to many social and political thinkers in India.
Chanakyanitis particularly the social ethics deals with several aspects like parenting, child rearing, servants, friendship ,love ,responsibilities of teachers,
education,wisedom and social responsibilities. In one of his
Tenets on parenting , Chanakya advises “ Rear up your son effectionately till he is five year old, then admonish him for next ten years.When he turns sixteen treat him as your friend.” Such are the ethics of Chanakya. The political ethics deal with the
responsibilities and duties of the rulers and the ruled.This book written in simple and lucid language attempts to remind everybody their responsibilities and duties.
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