Chanakya Explored in Jaina Literature

Author(s): Nalini Joshi
Publisher: Firodaya Prakashan

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CHAPTER 2
CĀŅAKYA : REFLECTED IN THE BRAHMANIC SOURCES
When we start to fathom the Indian literature for getting the information about Cāņakya (Kauțilya/Vişnugupta), we have to take a start from the brahmanic literature. Cāņakya's being a brahmin, his tuft of hair, his well-versedness in vedavidyā, his intellectual brilliance, short-temperedness and vindictive nature comes forward immediately. His monumental work Arthaśāstra also reflects his brahminhood. Thus we will start our quest from the brahmanic sources.
In the present chapter, we will deal with the Cāņakya-references in the Mahābhārata, some important purāṇas and two Sanskrit-collections of narratives viz. the Kathāsaritsāgara and the Brhatkathāmañjarī. [1] The Mahābhārata (Ādiparva) :
In the appendix of the Ādiparva, Kautilya is referred to by Vidura, the most eminent nītikāra in the galaxy of the personalities in the Mahābhārata. The verse is
विदुरो धृतराष्ट्रस्य जानन्सर्वं मनोगतम् । केनायं विधिना सृष्टः कौटिल्यः कपटालयः ।।
इत्येवं चिन्तयन् प्राज्ञो ---
Mahābhārata, Adiparva (Appendix) 85.10.2 Here, Kautilya is described as the abode of deceitfulness' by the great intelligent thinker Vidura. When we search the next part of the text with the expectation of some Cāņakya-narrative, we are disappointed. In the critical edition of the Mahābhārata, prepared by