Chanakya Explored in Jaina Literature

Author(s): Nalini Joshi
Publisher: Firodaya Prakashan

Page 42

32
Jñātādharmakathā.' Candanadāsa and Amātya Rāksasa are very close friends. As Jīvasiddhi being a Jaina monk was reliable for Amātya, like-wise Candanadāsa might possibly a Jaina house-holder, is equally reliable for him. Amātya handed over the responsibility of the protection of his family to Candanadāsa. The name of Candanadāsa's close relative is Dhanasena', which is again a typical Jaina name.
In the fifth act, the monologue of Candanadāsa carries some suggestions about his being a Jaina. Candanadāsa speaks in Sauraseni and uses the term cārittabhanga-bhīru for himself.S 'Cāritra' is a peculiar Jaina term connoting ‘right conduct'-one of the Jaina triratnas. The verse ‘mottūņa āmisāim” is in Mahārāștrī Prakrit and the references of 'strict vegetarianism' and 'avoiding meat' also point at his being a faithful Jaina. (c) Sarvārthasiddhi :
Amātya Rākşasa is very eagar to install Sarvārthasiddhi on the throne of Magadha. He is a person having the lineage of Nandas. Very surprisingly, ‘sarvārthasiddhi is the name of a supreme heavenly abode (anuttara devavimāna) in the hirarchy of the Jaina
heavens.
Secondly, sarvārthasiddhi is the oldest famous commentary of Pūjyapāda (5th century A.D.) on the well-known philosophical Jaina text viz. the Tattvārthasūtra of Umāsvāmī, a resident of Kusumapura.
Amātya Rākşasa's quest for Sarvārthasiddhi is a really strong Jaina connection while considering the Mudrārākṣasa.
[3] Cāņakya's character in the Mudrārākṣasa :
Though the names Vişnugupta and Kautilya are used at some places in the play, the name "Cāņakya' is continued through the