Chanakya Explored in Jaina Literature

Author(s): Nalini Joshi
Publisher: Firodaya Prakashan

Page 77

Thus, the Vyavahāra-bhāṣya throws light on the three major
things about Cāṇakya -
(i) His harsh measures to eradicate enemies.
(ii) His impartial attitude reflected in his sastric work on
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dandanīti.
(iii) His horrific death with his extra-ordinary power of
endurance.
[13] The Niśītha-bhāṣya is one of the oldest triad of bhāṣyas, viz. Kalpa-Vyavahāra-Niśītha belonging to the 4th-5th century A.D. It is written in Arṣa Prakrit or Old Jaina Māhārāṣṭrī. According to the tradition, Samghadāsagaṇi is the author of this bhāṣya who is of course different from the author of the Vasudevahiṇḍī. The number of bhāṣya-gāthās is 6703, which are divided into 20 uddeśas.
In the Niśītha-bhāṣya, there are three sets of bhāṣya-gāthās which contain the seeds of the Caṇakya-narratives. These suggestive stories are further elaborated in the Niśītha-cūrṇi. Therefore, at this place, we will only enumerate the references in a brief manner. (A) Niśītha-bhāṣya, gāthā 616:
णासा मुहणिस्सासा, पुप्फजियवधो तदस्सिताणं च । आयाए विसपुप्फं, तब्भावितमच्च दिट्टंतो ।।
The bhāṣya is connected with certain monastic rule in which smelling of live flowers are strictly prohibited for monks, due to many reasons. In the second line of the verse, it is told that there is a famous story of Caṇakya the prime-minister who anointed the brich-leaf with some poisonous fragrance. The detailed story is given in the cūrṇi.
It is noteworthy that while prescribing the code of conduct to the monks and nuns, the bhāṣyakāras, every now and then remem