Wisdom of Chanakya


wisdom of chanakay and his sutras


Chanakya (Famous Indian Politician, Strategist and Writer, 350 BC-283 BC) was an adviser and prime minister to the first Maurya Emperor Chandragupta (340-293 BC), and the architect of his rise to power. Kautilya and Vishnugupta, the names by which the political treatise Arthashastra identifies its author, are traditionally identified with Chanakya. Some scholars consider Chanakya to be "the pioneer economist of the world" and "the Indian Machiavelli". Chanakya was a professor at Taxila or Takshashila) University and is widely believed to be responsible for the first Indian empire.

Works: Three books are attributed to Chanakya's Arthashastra, Nitishastra and Chanakya Neeti. The Arthashastra discusses monetary and fiscal policies, welfare, international relations, and war strategies in detail. Many of his neetis or policies have been compiled under the book title Chanakya Niti. Nitishastra is a treatise on the ideal way of life and shows Chanakya's in-depth study of the Indian way of life.
A judicious application of Chanakya's wisdom has taught us to separate milk from water. His teachings are like the confronting hand of a mother like a raft to save you from floundering in the ocean of life.

Chanakya is a strong character and a great teacher. His message is ageless in quality inspiring both individuals and nations. Chanakya's wisdom contains enough illustrations to prove his farsightedness, keenness of perception and infallibility which is important for an astrologer!

1. Unheated metal does not coalesce with metal

One of the precepts of life is that unlike types do not unite. Unheated metal cannot combine with heated metal. Similarly, a person who is fired with ambition and the desire to achieve would not be able to function properly with one who is passive and lacks the drive to do much in life. It should always be remembered that when establishing a force, a team or an army, the leaders would always look for people with similar temperaments or backgrounds. This would ensure that there would be least disparity and conflict and that everyone be able to exist in harmony with one another.

While there is no doubt about the fact that each individual has his own unique qualities, there is also, the fact that in a team, if everyone is starkly different from each other, the result would be chaos and discord, Hence, to ensure balance and co-operation, similar attributes should be tapped to form successful and high achieving teams, thereby strengthening the belief that unheated metal does not coalesce with metal.

2. An unbaked vessel colliding with another unbaked vessel gets destroyed.

When two equally unprepared and unsuitable opponents clash with each other, both would be destroyed in the ensuing battle. It is essential that out of the two parties, at least one should be prepared well and able to take on the other.

The saying that an unbaked vessel on colliding with another unbaked vessel gets destroyed holds true in every situation. Battles have been fought since time immemorial; however, if these battles weren't between a superior and an unequal, they wouldn't have been successful.

Even when competing against each other, if the competitors are not prepared for the competition, it would make little sense for them to participate. One should always be prepared properly before entering into any kind of rivalry or fight with another.

3. One should not wear provocative clothes.

If one does not want to be the recipient of unwanted and undesirable attention, one should take care to dress in a sober and conservative manner. "Clothes make a man." This saying has great truth in it. A man is known by the kind of clothes he wears and therefore, should take care in dressing with sensibility and modesty. Fashion may be followed but not at the cost of offending the sensibilities of other members of society. By wearing provocative clothes, one attracts unnecessary attention and incurs problems of various sorts. Both men and women must practice prudence while selecting their attire and conveying an impression of tradition and purity.

Clothes carry an immense significance in man's life and therefore, should be worn intelligently. It is, indeed, possible for one to be stylish yet sensible. One can wear any kind of clothes as long as they are not offensive to others.

Since man is an integral unit of society, he does need to pay heed to what would be appreciated by his society. He should place his tastes, preferences and comfort first, yet he should not ignore the norms and modes of his society as well. All in all, he should be able to make a distinction and use his attire to impress and not to offend.

4. Advancement and decay are dependent on oneself.

Whether one progresses or declines in life is largely dependent upon one's own self. No one is responsible for your success or failure and if people blame fate, destiny or other people, they are merely being escapists. One should be graceful enough to accept one's success and failure alike as one's own doing. Life presents us with a variety of opportunities. It is in our hands to make use of these chances and take the most out of them.

5. One addicted to gambling does not accomplish anything.

The habit of gambling has been known as the worst habit since ancient times. Rulers have lost their kingdoms due to gambling. It is the one habit which would most certainly take its addict to ruin and despair.

6. One addicted to vices does not accomplish tasks.

An individual who is addicted to bad habits-smoking, drinking, drugs, and gambling, would not be able to achieve his goals and targets. He would waste away his time, energy and resources in satiating these habits and wouldn't be in a position to move ahead in life. He would leave work undone and not take on anything new and challenging. It is essential that one stay away from all vices and lead a life of hard work and virtue so as to achieve all of one's goals and reach a worthy position.

7. One should not imitate the ways of God.

Man is a man and can never be God. Therefore, he should not try and copy the ways of God. A man should not try to become the maker or destroyer of people's lives and destinies. He should always keep utmost faith in the power of the Almighty and never should he try to don the mantle of being all-powerful omnipotent.

There is a supreme power above us all and this is the power that governs the earth, the universe and all the beings, therein.

8. The strong one tries to get what has not been attained.

A person who is not scared of failure, hardship and suffering would have the physical and mental strength to endure all circumstances and achieve one's goal, no matter how difficult it may seem.

9. One who is affectionate in difficulties is a friend. In the acquisition of allies, one develops strength.

One who would stand by us during our times of distress and difficulty. One who would see us through the good and the bad times is surely one who is a true friend and not a fair weather one. Such a friend is to be cherished and honoured. He deserved our love and loyalty.

10. One wheel does not move.

Man needs other beings in order to survive, work, and to prosper. He cannot function in isolation. In every situation, that man faces he needs help and guidance from others. We need them so that we can continue to exist as normal, successful, social human beings.

11. With wisdom one can prosper.

The secret of prosperity lies not in how much money a person has but in how wise and intelligent is he. What eventually determines the fortune of a person is how much sense he shows in making his fortune work for him. One should, therefore, strive to acquire as much knowledge and education as possible from diverse spheres and by interacting with people from all walks of life, and apply all that one learns to one's own life and experiences and it would soon, be seen that it become easy to achieve targets and goals. Needless to say that when this happens, prosperity automatically would be your companion and fortune would smile upon you always.

12. Victory over senses is the root of states.

How would one attain an ideal state of mind? The answer is simply by attaining control over one's senses. The five main senses of man rule and define his existence on this Earth and in this World. How and what he sees, hears, tastes, feels and touches define his state of mind. If he sees pleasing and happy sights, his state of mind would be one of peace and contentment. If he sees the opposite, he would feel the opposite.

  • When there are many enemies, a treaty should be entered into with one.
  • One's security should be guarded against the enemy.
  • The weak should seek refuge in the strong.
  • Refuge in the weak results in sorrow.
  • A ruler should be approached like fire.
  • When two person quarrel, one should maintain an attitude of duplicity.
  • Even one with a fourfold army is destroyed if he is a slave of the senses.
  • The lust-ridden cannot perform his task.
  • Prosperity abandons one who is satisfied with wealth.
  • A little effort accomplishes the task.
  • There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no Friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth.
  • A man is great by deeds, not by birth.
  • We should not fret about what is past, nor should we be anxious about the future, men of discernment deal only with the present moment.
  • The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all directions.
  • Never share your secrets with anybody. It will destroy it.
  • As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it.
  • Righteousness is the root of happiness.
  • The state is the root of wealth.
  • Humility is the root of a sense of control.
  • Worship of elders is the root of humility.
  • Wisdom results from the worship of elders.
  • The prosperous one becomes the victorious one.
  • Economic prosperity creates prosperity for the people.
  • If the people are prosperous even a leaderless state can be governed.
  • To be without a master is better than having an arrogant master.
  • After equipping oneself fully, one should seek an ally.
  • Defection to the enemy takes place due to negligence.
  • Ministerial advice should be kept secret from all quarters. Getting what has not been got, guarding it, developing it and then distributing it-these four constitute state policy.
  • Friendship and enmity result from some cause.
  • The one who is facing defeat should make peace.
  • Power is the cause of alliances.
  • One should not fight with a superior or equal.
  • A task in which an expedient is used is not difficult to achieve.


Sutras of Chanakya


chanakya sutras and his teachings

CHANAKYA was an epoch-making personality. His was the time when India was emerging out of the 'Dark Age'. The old values were losing their relevance and the new were yet to be established. Chanakya was the first thinker of the ancient times who nurtured the sense of nationalism and inculcated in the minds of the people that they owed their basic allegiance to the Rajya (state of Nation) and not the dharma. 

Chanakya's collection of aphorisms relating to some aspect of the conduct of life. A sutra is an aphorism or a collection of aphorisms in the form of a manual or, more broadly, a text in Hinduism or Buddhism!! 
  1. One who has the divine knowledge but does not have worldly wisdom is like a fool !
  2. Success is achieved in all assignments by forgiving! 
  3. Heaven can be achieved by holy deeds/penance! 
  4. Vice and virtue are committed by men. So there should not be excessive love with body! 
  5. The lamp of science removes the fear of the world! 
  6. The learned people are not afraid of the world!
  7. Nonviolence is the symptom of religion! 
  8. One's face becomes according to one's conduct! 
  9. Character is identified by one's behavior! 
  10. Conduct is more important than religion! 
  11. The purpose of divine knowledge is to find the actual knowledge of all the things! 
  12. Religion is according to social behavior! 
  13. Never reveal your secrets to anyone! 
  14. Intelligent people/wise men have no enemy! 
  15. A son should never be praised! 
  16. A bad person hides his expressions of heart and expresses something else! 
  17. Noblemen consider the troubles of others like their own troubles! 
  18. Where one gets happiness, is the good place! 
  19. Good qualities are according to one's physical appearance! 
  20. Company of noble men is like living in heaven! 
  21. Books suggesting idleness are liked by fools! 
  22. An enemy appears like a friend when your wisdom/intelligence gets corrupt! 
  23. Give as much respect to a guest at you home as much is possible! 
  24. A man blind of money does not listen to learned people's opinion! 
  25. One should not praise one's own self! 
  26. Don't stay even with your mother in loneliness! 
  27. Hope removes the hesitation! 
  28. One can't be patient only if one hopes more! 
  29. Wealth does not stay with a man who-only hopes! 
  30. Money earned using bad practice is consumed by bad people only! 
  31. Never be impatient for a thing which is gone in other's hand! 
  32. There is no favor/obligation like charity! 
  33. A wise enemy is better than a foolish friend! 
  34. Final emancipation is the solution of all the miseries! 
  35. The learned of divine knowledge know the importance of an important mission! 
  36. A man who remains away from bad habits never fall a prey to women! 
  37. Women are fickle minded! 
  38. A woman can not judge the qualities of man! 
  39. Women are the roots of all the evils! 
  40. Redemption can not be achieved if one falls in love with women! 
  41. Divine knowledge is not more worthy than social manners! 
  42. Where divine knowledge is absent, follow social manners! 
  43. Don't enter other's homes without any order! 
  44. Discuss the divine source of universe with intellects! 
  45. A man himself invites his miseries! 
  46. Even a ripe neem does not become an oak tree! 
  47. One builds one's character according to the basis of one's family! 
  48. One does according to one's roots! 
  49. Excellence doesn't always give birth to good qualities! 
  50. A firefly may shine immensely but it does not make fire! 
  51. Don't fight with the powerful when you are supported by a powerless/a weak! 
  52. Where source of water is found without any efforts that place should be your place/home! 
  53. No honor is given if a man loves his money more! 
  54. Noblemen work for their religion/noble conduct! 
  55. The one who speaks sweet, has no rival/enemy! 
  56. Tongue is the source of poison or nectar! 
  57. There is no place except hell for a sinner! 
  58. Loan, enemy and diseases should be destroyed from the roots! 
  59. Don't make relations with crafty people though you are lucky! 
  60. Age and fame are increased by good conducts! 
  61. A bad person has no friend! 
  62. One can live in the society by following truth only! 
  63. Never have sex with a woman who is not yours! 
  64. If favor is done to a crafty man, he does not feel obliged but becomes an enemy! 
  65. No favor should be done to a crafty man! 
  66. The one who is going to be ruined, the good thoughts don't come to him! 
  67. A son is the one who can remove all the troubles of his parents! 
  68. Never increase intimacy with a woman who works in a royal palace! 
  69. Where noblemen are more, is a good country! 
  70. Shyness is the jewel of women! 
  71. Don't rely upon women! 
  72. One who excels in a particular field, that person should be given that job only! 
  73. Rich people don't exert themselves for pious work. If they do, they have any selfish motive! 
  74. Too much affection gives birth to a flaw! 
  75. Today's pigeon is better than tomorrow's peacock! 
  76. More honor offered by old friends/acquaintances is suspicious! 
  77. A fool always finds faults with others, he never sees his own faults! 
  78. The conduct can not be changed! 
  79. Flaws can not be hidden in introduction! 
  80. The one who wants to get success in his work never tests his success with the help of his stars!
  81. Performing a task who makes no money is like dragging oil from sand! 
  82. A man who expects flower, never waters a dry plant! 
  83. It is very difficult to get a precious stone! 
  84. The men are worshiped because of their qualities only! 
  85. Nectar should be taken even from poison! 
  86. The good qualities of an enemy should be taken! 
  87. The skills of a mean fellow should not be adopted! 
  88. Knowledge spreads fame! 
  89. Knowledge can not be stolen by thieves! 
  90. A small flowerless mango is destroyed by the wasps! 
  91. A poor person is even insulted by his wife! 
  92. A beneficial sentence uttered by a poor man remains unheard! 
  93. There is no enemy bigger than one's own pride! 
  94. A good person should not marry a mean fellow! 
  95. Women get old very early if they don't coition! 
  96. If you make a snake drink milk, you increase its venom/not nectar! 
  97. The skills of a loose character are to increase the sinful activities! 
  98. Awareness at every time becomes the cause of success!
  99. A dead person has nothing to do with a medicine! 
  100. The people who do right are not afraid of death!
  101. Religious practices can only be performed with wealth.
  102. State's glory comes from wealth.
  103. It's better for a state to be without a king in-spite of being ruled over by a low esteemed king.
  104. One wheel can not run a vehicle.
  105. All the assignments begin after discussion and advice.
  106. If right is followed success comes early.
  107. The secrets of state should not be revealed to anyone.
  108. Our rivals get to know our secrets if we are proud.
  109. Right planning is like wealth which makes progress in the state.
  110. The persons who know the difference between useful as well as futile actions should be made ministers.
  111. A friend who keeps his friendliness even during difficult days is a true friend.
  112. A lazy person can not achieve anything.
  113. Policies related to a foreign country should be in accordance with other foreign countries.
  114. Iron can not join unless it is heated.
  115. A raw clay pot gets broken if it hits another unformed clay pot.
  116. Don't ignore the activities of neighboring countries even if you have a treaty with them.
  117. The shelter of a weak brings sadness.
  118. Use diplomacy to divide the two people who are jealous of you.
  119. A person indulged in gambling can not complete any of his assignments.
  120. If the ethics of government are not followed even ministers start making mistakes.
  121. A person is responsible for his development or ruin.
  122. Work is not difficult if properly planned.
  123. An accomplished work can be ruined if it is not properly projected.
  124. Fortunes follows the valor.
  125. Decision should be taken before beginning a work.
  126. A fickle minded/an unsteady person can never get success in any work.
  127. Don't begin a work which can not be completed.
  128. Even a lucky fellow who does his work without proper thinking/planning is deprived of wealth.
  129. A person who excels in a particular field should be given that work only.
  130. The work done by ignorant people should not be given any importance.
  131. Don't be kind towards harmful people.
  132. The one who depends on luck never achieves success in his/her assignments.
  133. Evaluate your power before commencing any work.
  134. The one who knows the innocence of a cow consumes milk.
  135. Never share your secrets with a low-grade person.
  136. A person of polite nature is even insulted by his dependents.
  137. An intellect who does not remain serious, never receives honor from the society.
  138. The one who depicts the flaws of others in a gathering/an assembly, illuminates his own flaws.
  139. The anger of fools ruins them only.
  140. Nothing is impossible for truthful people.
  141. The money which comes from ill-methods only makes us feel its existence.
  142. One flaw can destroy many qualities.
  143. Never rely on a loose character person.
  144. Even a favor done by an enemy can be harmful.
  145. Water mixed poured into milk becomes milk.
  146. Soil if remains in touch with flower produces fragrance.
  147. Silver becomes gold when mixed with gold.
  148. A foolish person does wrong in lieu of right.
  149. A sinful person is not afraid of ill-fame.
  150. Dive into water and draw benefits like a fisher.
  151. Keep your enemy engaged in artificial behavior till you find his weakness.
  152. Attack only on the weakness of an enemy.
  153. Never tell anyone about your weakness.
  154. Usually enemies attack on one's weakness only.
  155. No advice should be given to a bad person.
  156. An impatient man has no present and future.
  157. Don't argue with fools.
  158. Speak to a fool in a fool's language.
  159. One should cut iron with iron only.
  160. Only religion holds a man.
  161. The present calamities are forecast by the behavior of nature.
  162. Virtue-less intelligence destroys itself.
  163. Never tell any secret things to a back-biter.
  164. Never listen to the secrets of others.
  165. Even if mother is bad, she deserves to be deserted.
  166. If an ugly person possesses wealth, he becomes a person of beautiful appearance.
  167. Awareness at every time becomes the cause of success.
  168. A good person should not marry a mean fellow.
  169. There is no enemy bigger than one's own pride.
  170. A beneficial sentence uttered by a poor man remains unheard.
  171. Knowledge spread fame.
  172. Nectar should be taken even from poison.
  173. Flaws can not be hidden in introduction.
  174. The conduct can not be changed.
  175. The punishment should be given according to the mistakes.
  176. The jewels should be in accordance with one's status.
  177. A fool always finds faults with others, he never sees his own faults.
  178. More honour offered by old friends/acquaintances is suspicious.
  179. Those, who depend on vehicles, don't take trouble to walk on foot.
  180. Women don't have worldly wisdom and moral ethics.
  181. Don't rely upon women.
  182. The one who is going to be ruined, the good thoughts don't come to him.
  183. Don't follow one leaving many.
  184. No honor is given if a man loves his money more.
  185. A man himself invites his miseries.
  186. People behave after seeing other's behavior.
  187. Redemption can not be achieved if one falls in love with women.
  188. Sand of desert looks like water to a greedy person.
  189. No body should be sad in facing misfortune.
  190. One who has the divine knowledge but does not have worldly wisdom is like a fool.
  191. If a person expects happiness from a womanly man, that person can neither reach heaven nor he can perform any religious activities.
  192. Never violate the limits.
  193. IL-fame is the biggest fear among all fears.
  194. The good qualities of even barbarians can be adopted.
  195. A man receives honor because of his intelligence.
  196. The one who permeates welfare of others is the noble man.
  197. One's soul is the witness of one's conduct.
  198. A cow, even obstinate/irritable is better than thousand dogs.
  199. One gets as much glamour as much wisdom he has.
  200. Noble men work for their religion/noble conduct.

Related image