Page Text
________________
164
The brahmanic elements in the personality of Caṇakya are highlighted and his śravakatva is not mentioned.
Śrīcandra is not satisfied with the vague reference to Candragupta in the story of Cāṇakya. Unlike Hariṣeṇa, he says ता रज्जत्थिउ नंदहो केरउ, चंदगुत्तु नामे दासेरउ । पुट्ठिहे लग्गउ तं लेप्पिणु धणु, गउ चाणक्कु णंदमारणमणु ।। (p.511)
Thus according to Śrīcandra, Candragupta was a dāsīputra of Nanda (as suggested in the Avaśyaka literature) and had an ambition to be a king.
At one place, Śrīcandra uses the name 'Saśigupta' for 'Candragupta' which is a peculiarstyle of the classical Apabhramsa poetry. Unlike Hariṣeṇa, Cāṇakya offers the kingship to Candragupta and becomes his chief-minister. This is probably the effect of the concept of 'bimbāntarita rājā' seen in the Svetambara narratives. There is no direct reference of Caṇakya's Arthaśāstra and his strict discipline. Still in the following lines Kahakosu mentions Cāṇakya's mastery over polity
अप्पणु पडिगाहिउ मंतित्तणु चिंति देसु को सुहि परियणु । (p.511) Subandhu's hatred and enmity towards Caṇakya is described at length very effectively.
The death of Caāṇakya is ascribed as samādhimarana. In spite of Caṇakya's monkhood and his hearty repentance, Śrīcandra is not ready to offer him 'siddhigati'. He says
धीरधीरु गुरुगुणहिँ गुरुक्कउ, गउ सव्वट्टहो मुणि चाणक्कउ ।। (p.512)
"The sage Cāṇakya, who was extremely courageous and virtuous, attained the supreme heavenly abode sarvārthasiddhi."
In nutshell, we can say that Śrīcandra's attitude is more logical and convincing than that of Hariṣeṇa. He has done justice to the great personality of Caṇakya by corporating some of the Svetambara
*
| SR No. | 007699 |
| Book Title | Chanakya Explored in Jaina Literature |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Nalini Joshi |
| Publisher | Firodaya Prakashan |
| Publication Year | 2014 |
| Total Pages | 257 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 1 MB |