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IV
referred to as Kodillaya and it is mentioned that his book (i.e. Arthaśāstra) was a part of a syllabus.
In the works like Niśītha-cūrņi and Āvaśyaka-cūrņi, various incidents in the life of Cāņakya are described. In the Āvaśyakaniryukti, Cāņakya's pāriņāmiki-buddhi is highlighted. Jinadāsagani has given a short life-sketch of Cāņakya and Candragupta. Similarly there are general observations on different stories dedicated to Cāņakya. The commentaries written by the Jaina authors exhibit their deep study of the text of the Arthaśāstra. In Haribhadra's Upadeśapada there are certain dvāragāthās throwing light on the character of Cāņakya. Among the eminent Svetāmbara writers Ratnaprabha, Hemacandra and Municandra are noteworthy.
Harişena's Brhatkathākośa is specially cited. Some Digambara authors like Somadevasūri in his Nītivākyāmsta and the other authors like Śrīcandra and Prabhācandra have been cited by Dr. Nalini Joshi. She has quoted the views of some other Jaina scholars also.
From this extensive survey, it becomes amply clear that the learned author has analysed almost all concerned Jaina texts
systematically, with a view to gather information about Cāņakya. Cāņakya's shrewdness and strategy are particularly focussed by the Brahmanic authors but with a comprehensive look on the Jaina views, Dr. Nalini Joshi rightfully quotes : “A certain respect and honour towards Cāņakya is seen in the Jaina literature due to his strict governance, selfless service, detached world-views and sublime death."
