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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amātyas, the Jaina authors have always referred him as Amātya Cāņakya. Many of the Jaina prakrit narratives begin with the following words, Yfya EGUT PII 374071] autant l’The Jainas have never called him mantri or saciva. [I] Geographical regions and kingdoms :
The Kautilīya Arthaśāstra is a prominent text of Magadhan literature. The ancient history of Jainism is closely associated with Magadha region and Ardhamāgadhī language. Therefore we find a close resemblance between the Arthaśāstra and the ancient Ardhamāgadhī texts in which various geographical regions and kingdoms are noted which were politically important at that time.
The Anuyogadvāra gives ten synonyms of the word 'skandha' [Anuyogadvāra-sūtra 58, p.55 (102 edn.)] in which the word gana is the first one. Scholars of Indology say that this word is suggestive of the gañarājyas like licchavi, vajji, malla etc. in ancient
India.
While explaining the laukika-āgamas, Anuyogadvāra refers the four vedas with angas and upāngas. The commentator of this text mentions four upavedas of four main vedas. According to him the Arthaśāstra is the upaveda of Atharvaveda. (Anuyogadvāra p.412, ouillo edn.) Though Kautilya eliminates the Atharvaveda from trayī, still he preaches people to chant the mantras of Atharvaveda on various occasions.
With all this background, there is no wonder if we find the names of various kingdoms which are common in the Arthaśāstra and ancient Jaina texts. While documenting various myths, Kautilya mentions Paundra, Kosala, Magadha, Avanti, Vanga and particularly king Pradyota of Ujjayini and his son 'Pālaka' (adhyāya 95).