Book Title: Chanakya Explored in Jaina Literature
Author(s): Nalini Joshi
Publisher: Firodaya Prakashan

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Page 127
________________ 117 attitude towards pravacana and samgha, then he should be uprooted with the help of others. While commenting gāthā 716, the story of Cāņakya and Naladāma (name of a weaver) is given by Malayagiri. In the Āvaśyaka-cūrņi, the story is given in a brief manner. Malayagiri gives the narrative in a very elaborate manner. The summary of the story is - Nanda was driven away by Cāņakya. Candragupta was installed on the throne. After some time, the followers of Nanda created nuisance by theft and robbery. They bribed the policemen and continued their anti-king acts. Cāņakya was in search of a reliable and faithful person to curb their activities. He saw Naladāma who was busy in burning the holes of insects because his son was bitten by the insects. Cāņakya appointed Naladāma to teach a lesson to the followers of Nanda. Naladāma followed the advice of Cāņakya. He called all of them for dinner with their families and cut off their heads. While commenting on gā.91, Malayagiri says - “तदेवं यथा चाणिक्येन नन्द उत्पाटितो यथा नलदाम्ना मत्कोटकाश्चोराश्च समूला उच्छेदितास्तथा प्रवचनप्रद्विष्टं राजानं समूलमुत्पाटयेत् । --- ते सर्वे शुद्धाः YHTYEN TAUT sqacara li” (Vyavahāra-bhāşya p.77) Observations : * At first, we feel that it isvery odd that a monk, who observes a complete vow of non-violence, is preached here to retaliate a king by employing ruthless measures. But when we think of the situational difficulties, it seems natural and practical (vyavahārya) from the point of view of pravacana-rakṣā (survival of the Jaina faith). * Malayagiri has categorically pointed out that if a monk is involved in eradicating a king who is completely adverse to the pravacana, he is not liable to a blame or stigma. Further, it is noted that if he dwells

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