A PANORAMIC VIEW OF ETHICAL VALUES IN CHANAKYA NITI SASTRA
INTRODUCTION
Although many great savants of the science of niti such as Brihaspati, Shukracharya (Shukra Niti), Vidur (Vidur Neti), and Bhartrihari (Bhartrihari Satak) have echoed many of
ethical instructions and cherished values in the shape of
nitis or instructions in their own celebrated works, it is perhaps the way that
Chanakya applied his teachings of Chanakya’s niti-sastra that has made him stand out as a significant historical figure.
He teaches us that how lofty ideals can become a certain reality if we intelligently work towards achieving our goal in a determined, progressive and practical manner. In
Chanakya’s Niti Sastra we see many subtleties of his vast wit and wisdom.
The real goal of niti, indeed the goal of life, is to realise one's eternal position, but certain guidelines for leading the social life in the worldly existence smoothly are also necessary in the present times. Learned Chanakya comes to our rescue in this regard with certain maxims, through his monumental work
‘Chanakya Niti Sastra’(CNS) , which may still be found relevant to face the emerging situations in the so called ‘Kaliyuga’. Moreover, there is a need to present and to have a re-look at some of the ancient works like this niti-sastra (scripture), for being applied effectively in the context of modern times.
CHANAKYA AND HIS CONTRIBUIONIt is rarely that we come across some great men and legendary characters, who could shape times through their vision and exemplary actions. Chanakya, perhaps is the only personality who has been accepted and revered as a genius both by Indian and Western scholars. He is a historical milestone in the making of India amidst tremendous upheavals and myriad's of reversals. Celebrated as a shrewd statesman and a ruthless administrator, he comes across as the greatest of diplomats of the world. He had the guts to speak his heart out even in front of the rulers, which shows his strong inclination to democratic values and the audacity to put his views through. Although, he lived around the third century BC, his ideas and principles show concurrence and validity even in the present day world. Diplomacy in the then politically charged environment shows his self-confidence and the ability to stay calm in trying situations. His foresight and wide knowledge coupled with politics of expediency founded the mighty Mauryan Empire in India. At a very early age little Chanakya started studying Vedas. The Vedas, considered as the toughest scriptures to study, were completely studied and memorized by Chanakya in his infancy. In this way after studying religion and politics, he turned his attention to economics, which remained his lifelong friend. Takshashila, (Taxila), one of the topmost centers of education at that time in India, became Chanakya's breeding ground of acquiring knowledge in the practical and theoretical aspects. The four Vedas, archery, hunting, elephant-lore and 18 arts were taught at the university. After acquiring vast knowledge in various branches of study he wanted everybody to get benefited. He believed in the broadcasting of knowledge and not in the storage of it. The whole nation was bewildered by the cleverness and wit of this seemingly small boy who went on to single handedly to unify the country with the sheer power of his character. He lived his life working to his capacity in pursuit of his vision of a happy strong and prosperous India. Thus,
through his conscientious efforts, the indigenous Vedic culture of the sacred land of Bharata (India) was protected and the spiritual practices of the Hindus could go on unhampered.He was also
a great laureate of economics with a glittering intellect to perceive the intricate dynamics of the various economic activities and principles, which he espoused through his master piece
‘Arthasastra’. The centuries that succeeded him show distinct effects of his thoughts on the way a kingdom should be managed and other facets of economic administration. Even today, one of
his maxims on taxation is very much alive and calls for adherence by the governments of the world. According to Chanakya,
"Taxation should not b
e a painful process for the people. There should be leniency and caution while deciding the tax structure. Ideally, governments should collect taxes like a honeybee, which sucks just the right amount of honey from the flower so that both can survive. Taxes should be collected in small and not in large proportions".
His contribution
to foreign policy in the present day world is immense. Universities teach his principles to aspiring foreign policy experts showing the infallibility of his principles. Chanakya's art of diplomacy is well known across India and practiced in the areas of defence, strategy formation and foreign relations. Quite remarkably, long before Clausewitz came up with the quote, which said
"War is only the continuance of state policy by other means", Chanakya had already written it in his book ‘Chanakya Niti'. Most of his views were so farsighted that they appeared to be prophesies. Talking on diverse subjects such as
corruption, he commented very rightly, "
It's just as difficult to detect an official's dishonesty as it is to discover how much water is drunk by the swimming fish". Chanakya envisioned India as a nation which would place itself as the forerunner – politically, economically and socially. His magnum opus, "
Arthashatra", depicts in many ways the India of his dreams. When he wrote this volume of epic proportion, the country was ridden in feudalism and closed and self-sufficient economy based on indigenous ways of production; was in a transitional phase, moving towards the advanced aspects of distribution and production. Culture and regional politics directed the way in which trade was done. The main activities of the economy were agriculture, cattle rearing and commerce. Among the three, Chanakya considered agriculture to be the most important constituent of the economy. Covering various topics on administration, politics and economy, it is a book of law and a treatise on running a country which is relevant even today.
Broadly speaking,
Chanakya dreamt of a country reaching the following levels of development in terms of ideologies and social and economic development:
- A self- sufficient economy, an egalitarian society with equal opportunities for all, development of natural and man- made resources, efficient management of land for the development of resources, and the state keeping an eye on the occupation of excess land by the landlords and unauthorized use of land., and ideally the state should monitor the most important and vital resource of Land. The state should take care of agriculture at all times. Government machinery should be directed towards the implementation of projects aimed at supporting and nurturing the various processes, beginning from sowing of seeds to harvest.
- Internal trade was more important to Chanakya than external trade. At each point of the entry of goods, a minimal amount of tax should be collected. The state should collect taxes at a bare minimum level, so that there is no chance of tax evasion.
- Laws of the state should be the same for all, irrespective of the person who is involved in the case. Destitute women should be protected by the society because they are the result of social exploitation and the uncouth behavior of men.
- Security of the citizens at peace time is very important because state is the only savior of the men and women who get affected only because of the negligence of the state. Antisocial elements should be kept under check along with the spies who may enter the country at any time.
As a person, Chanakya has been described variously, as a saint, as a ‘ruthless administrator', as the ‘king maker', a devoted nationalist, a selfless ascetic, and even by some as a person devoid of all morals. He created controversy by saying ‘The ends justify the means' and the ruler should use any means to attain his goals and his actions required no moral sanctions. All his written works namely, ‘Arthashastra', ‘Nitishastra' and ‘Chanakyaniti' were unique because of their rational approach and an unabashed advocacy of real politic. His views were dimensionally novel. He recommended even espionage and the liberal use of provocative agents as machineries of the state. In his view, the observance of morals and ethics was secondary to the interests of the ruler. Some of his stark views made him into an ambivalent personality for the world. This great statesman and philosopher has been often compared to Machiavelli, Aristotle and Plato, exemplifying his potentiality and influential status. Chanakya, the timeless man, was in pursuit of truth fearlessly over 2000 years ago and was proved right with Vivekanand's words, "
Arise, Awake, Sleep not till the goal is reached."
Chanakya, apart from being a man of wisdom and unfailing strategies, propounded Nitishastra, in which he espoused the ideal way of living for every individual of the society. The moral values envisaged in the 'Chanakya’s Niti Sastra’ are one of the best-known Niti Sastras on religious and social obligations. His "Nitishastra", a treatise on the ideal way of life, shows his in-depth study of the Indian way of life. In his epoch-making Chanakya Niti Sastra(CNS), he also envisioned a society where the people are not running behind material pleasures. Control over the sense organs is essential for success in any endeavor. According to him, spiritual development is essential for the internal strength and character of the individual. Material pleasures and achievements are always secondary to the spiritual development of the society and country at large. He has truly guided the generations with his wisdom. Let us have a panoramic view of some of the ethical concepts in Chanakya’s Niti Saastra(CNS) to adjudge whether some of them are akin or a bit different to the Vedic ethics and values and to consider their relevance to the present times. However, we need judge the CNS in the light of present times. In the words of Will Durant “the historians folly is to judge the past from the yardstick of the present’, and we should accord CNS due scholarly sensitivity, concern and understanding.
In the very first few verses (CNS: 2-3), learned Chanakya states that he is reciting these maxims of the science of political ethics (
niti) selected from the various sastras with an eye to the public good. He further asserts that the man who by the study of these maxims from the sastras acquires a knowledge of the most celebrated principles of duty, and understands what ought and what ought not to be followed, and what is good and what is bad, is most excellent. An effort has been made to present his selected maxims coherently, by placing them under specific headings for convenient understanding by the learned readers.
Ved Prakash
