CHANAKYA was undoubtedly ancient India's finest Political Strategist and Thinker. The teaching of Chanakya is the real nourishment of life.
Chanakya's brand of wisdom is ageless and immutable. Chanakya expounds his views with amazing foresight and charity. It has a large smattering of pithy observations on Women, Family Life, Human Relationships, Moral Conduct and Spirituality. His startling prophecies, meaningful reflections on everyday living and heard headed axioms.
1 It is painful to waste one's time, advising a silly disciple, indulging a quarrelsome wife, and listening to others tales of woe.
2 If one casts aside that which can be obtained, and pursues that, which is out of one's reach, then one will lose both the obtainable and the unobtainable.
3 Never trust rivers, women, descendants of royal families, men with weapons, and animals endowed with horns and claws.
4 Authentic jewels and sandalwood are not seen everywhere. Occasionally, they are found in rare places. The saints are equally hard to come by. The adage, " All that glitters is not gold" always holds good. There is too much artificially in the world. One must be discovering to recognise that, which is authentic.
5 Everything is significant in its own unique way. The king gives maximum importance to the welfare of his subjects. A Bania ( Merchant) has only his business in mind. Knowledge is the only concern of an erudite man. A bewitching wife truly beautiful her house.
6 When the deer senses a forest fire, he is quick to forsake the forest. Similarly, once the Brahmin has accepted Dakshina (reward given to Brahmin after the rituals), he is quick to leave. Once the disciple has gleaned knowledge from the master, he promptly takes his leave from him.
7 He, who is steeped in debt, dishonored by his own kith and kin, separated from his wife, and limited by wicked men, will experienced terrible heartache.
8 The trees that grows on the riverbank is to pitied. Similarly, a woman who deserts her husband for another man, and a king who is without a judicious minister, suffer a sorry plight.
9 Birds deserts trees which are bare; a prostitute abandons a poor, destitute man; and subjects abandon a powerless king. This always true.
10 Pure happiness is just impossible on earth. There is no clan which is free of particular moral frailties. One's physical stamina is constantly threatened by disease. Suffering will also dog one like an inseparable shadow.
11 One's behavior will reveal which clan one has descended from. One's speech will reveal one's nationality. One's respect for others reflects the measure of grace and love in one's heart. One's body mirrors the kind of food one consumes.
12 A nightingale's greatest asset is its melodious voice. A woman's greatest asset is her fidelity. A man's power lies in his knowledge. A sage's glory lies in his ability to forgive folly.
13 One must be ready to renounce one's family, village, nation, and even the world, for the sake of one's self respect.
14 All excesses are hazardous. Sita, the ideal wife and companion, was abducted by Ravana. Ravana's terrible self-conceit led to the devastation of his whole clan. Bali's excessively charitable nature led him to bondage.
15 Once a man's ambition is kindled, nothing can stop him. For a businessman, no country can be too far. For a wise man, there is no such thing as a foreign land. He is at home wherever he goes.
16 A peevish wife, a foolish son, and a widow in the house, can really incense a man. Serving a depraved clan, and residing in the vicinity of a quarrelsome man, will also raise a man's wrath. He will be ablaze with passionate furry.
17 One must always forsake a peevish wife, disrespectful brothers, a master, who is neither wise nor erudite, and the religion which does not practice mercy.
18 Undigested food will bring about physical maladies; the company of the poor will make one look weary; and the marriage of an old man to a young lady will result in sexual dissatisfaction, conflict and estrangement.
19 If one's knowledge of the scriptures is not put into practice, then the years of study will have gone to waste.
20 Charity removes poverty. Amiability and equanimity will put an end to all kinds of suffering. A sharp intellect will dispel the darkness of one's ignorance, and noble intentions will blot out all fear from our minds.
21 One's ignorance is one's most powerful enemy. One's anger will scorch the very core of one's heart. It is even more powerful than fire. The attainment of knowledge and wisdom is the greatest happiness that one can experience.
22 No man can escape the consequences of his actions. One's action will chase one like an persistent shadow. One creates one's own heaven or hell. Ultimately, emancipation can be attained only through rigorous effort and penance.Only man's Karma will guide him after he has abandoned earthly life. Good Karma is like medicine given to the ailing man; like knowledge for the ignorant soul.
23 It is virtually impossible to see through the hearts of the crow, the jackal, the barber, and the gardener's wife. They are extremely clever and crafty. It is very difficult to know what goes on in their minds.
24 Whereas a bronze pot is cleaned using ash, tamarind is employed to clean a copper pot.. A woman is considered pure after menstruation. A river is cleansed of its filth by the rapid and unobstructed flow of water.
25 Those who pose as saints, while secretly behaving in an irreligious and ignoble manner, are contemptible creatures. But those men who slander others, and spread malicious rumors about them, are the meanest creatures on this planet.
