Chanakya Explored in Jaina Literature

SR No.: 007699
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

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CHAPTER 5
FROM THE WINDOW OF ARTHAŚĀSTRA
[1] The seeds of Cānakya-Narratives explored in the Kautilīya
Arthaśāstra
In the previous chapter, the narratives of Cāņakya noted in the Jaina literature are translated, scrutinized and compared very carefully. Here we intend to caste a glance at the narratives from the
window of the the Kautilīya Arthaśāstra.
At the very outset, it is remarkable that Kautilya presents lists of narratives in his treatise in which some traditional stories are included in an abridged manner. This peculiar style is seen in the 6th, 20th and 95th chapters (adhyāyas) of the Arthaśāstra. In the 6th chapter, twelve such persons are mentioned who were ruined due to the lack of control over their senses. In the 20th chapter it is prescribed for a king that he should not visit his queen's apartment without proper inspection. Seven examples of Bhadrașeņa etc. are given who were killed by the queens treacherously. In the 95th chapter, six personalities related to the king are mentioned who took the hint from subtlest actions that they are out of favour of the king and immediately left the king.
Niryuktikāra Bhadrabāhu (i.e. Bhadrabāhu II) (3rd 4th century A.D.) has developed this peculiar style of presenting the list of traditional narratives in his niryuktis. The examples of pāriņāmikibuddhi are enumerated in the Avaśyaka-niryukti 51 (p.93) in which Cāņakya is included. In the list of Pindaniryukti 500, surprisingly enough, again Cāņakya is enumerated. Twelve examples of pāriņāmiki-buddhi are mentioned in Nandi gā.74. This peculiar style of quoting dvāragāthās is followed by the later Jaina writers in