Chanakya Explored in Jaina Literature

Author(s): Nalini Joshi
Publisher: Firodaya Prakashan

Page 70

लुद्धा सकज्जतुरिआ , सुहिणोऽवि विसंवयंति कयकज्जा ।
जह चंदगुत्तगुरुणा , पव्वयओ घाइओ राया ।। The context of this gāthā is altogether different. The author says, “Nobody should trust even one's own son.” For this he gives the example of Śreņika (Bimbisāra) and Kuņika (Ajātaśatru). It is known that Kuņika put his father Śreņika in the jail and afterwards killed him treacherously. One more example of treachery is given in the above- mentioned gāthā. It is mentioned that, "The greedy and impatient persons who are very much eagar to achieve their goal, deceive their own kinsfolk. See, how the guru of Candragupta killed king Parvataka by treacherous means.'
The concerned dvāragāthā provides enough scope for the commentator to give the full biography of Cāņakya. Taking into consideration the tone of disregard reflected in this dvāragāthā, the commentator Ratnaprabha describes the deceitful and cunning nature of Cāņakya by giving a lot of examples from Cāņakya's life-story. Ratnaprabha belongs to the 12th century A.D. So, when we proceed to the 12th century-references chronologically, we will give more details of his story with critical remarks.
At present, when we think over the above-mentioned dvāragāthā, three things are sure that -
(i) Cāņakya is mentioned as the guru (preceptor) of Candragupta.
(ii) With the help of king Parvataka (Puru or Selyucus ?) Candragupta overpowered the kingdom of Magadha.
(iii) It was Cāņakya, who advised Candragupta to kill Parvataka in order to become a sole king.
Jinadāsagani, the author of the Āvaśyaka-cūrņi, has incorpo