Chanakya Explored in Jaina Literature

Author(s): Nalini Joshi
Publisher: Firodaya Prakashan

Page 73

[8] The Bhakta-parijñā is a prakīrṇaka text written in old Jaina Māhārāṣṭrī during the 5th century.
The 162nd gathã of this text runs -
पाडलिपुत्तम्मि पुरे चाणक्को नाम विस्सुओ आसी । सव्वारंभनियत्तो इंगिणिमरणं अह निवन्नो ।।
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From this single verse, we learn that Cāṇakya belonging to Pataliputra was very famous at that time when this text was written. Many legends about Caṇakya were in vogue in the society. The narratives were handed down from generation to generation. The adjective suggest that though Cāṇakya was active in politics throughout his life, at the fag end of his life, he completely abstained from violence. His death is described as fş-f14'. In this type of death, a person never takes any help of others for his upkeep. The gaāthā suggests that the death of Cāṇakya might have happened nereby Pataliputra.
The same gatha is found in Samstāraka-prakīrṇaka. The sense
of regard towards Caṇakya is evident.
[9] The Maraṇa-vibhakti is also an anonymous prakīrṇaka written in old Jaina Māhārāṣṭrī around the 5th century A.D.
Gāthā 479 gives the details as follows
गोब्बर पाओवगओ सुबुद्धिणा णिग्घिणेण चाणक्को ।
दड्ढो न य संचलिओ, साहु धिई चिंतणिज्जा उ ।।
The information given in this verse can be analysed in the following manner -
We find more details about Cāṇakya's death than that of the previous prakīrṇakas.
* 'Subuddhi' was extremely pitiless and he burnt Cāṇakya in alive
state.