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

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Page 172
________________ 162 sons by applying black-magic while living at the residence of Sakaṭāla." The same story is given in the Bṛhatkathāmañjarī. The Svetambara sources have not painted Caṇakya as a killer of Nanda. In the chapter dedicated to amatya, it is noted that the minister having revengeful disposition, creates calamity. Two examples are given that of Sakuni and Śakaṭāla. In the Kathāsaritsāgara (lambaka 1), it is told that Śakaṭāla, the minister of Nanda who was displeased by some reason, ultimately chose Cāṇakya to retaliate Nanda. Hariṣena, the Digambara writer, tells the same story in his Bṛhatkathākośa but he uses the name ‘Kavi' instead of ‘Śakaṭāla’. (Chapter 143, h4) * In the chapter vyavahārasamuddeśa, it is noted in the 38th sūtra that, ‘स सुखी यस्य एक एव दारपरिग्रहः ' -i.e. ‘The householder can live happily if he has one wife.' For explaining the sūtra, the commentator quotes two and half verses of Cāṇakya (Cāṇikya). The purport of the passage is - "When there are two wives in a house, there is always quarrel and conflict. That man is happy and enjoys heavenly pleasures who possesses one wife, three issues, two ploughs, ten cows, five thousand golden coins and who daily performs Agnihotra rites." The concept of happy life is noted by Cāṇakya, according to the commentator. It reflects the thirstless and contented attitude of Caṇakya towards life. The high regard for Cāṇakya is seen in almost all the Jaina references about Cāṇakya. It is due to his wisdom, his aspirations for the betterment of the people, his strict and just attitude and his ideas about contented life. * In nutshell we can say that the Nītivākyāmṛta of Somadevasūri is itself a tribute to Cāṇakya, given on behalf of the Jaina tradition. All the anuśrutis, legends and narratives preserved in the Jaina

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