STRENGTH IS WITHIN US - Life & Times - Chanakya

Many of us have heard his name, and read about him too but today seem to have forgotten him and his contribution. Ironically, he was perhaps the most impactful personality & a true leader who was an inspiration to millions of people in INDIA during his lifetime.

His subjects have ranged from Leadership, Politics, Morals, Values, Integrity, to Family Life and many other wisdoms. the man had a kitty of wisdom which was passed on from generations to generations.

Unfortunately, with time, people seem to have forgotten him and only remembered what he did or said and that too only the actions & not the creator.

Chanakaya was “the best example of a man who followed his own convictions with all spirit and vigour” and perhaps unraveled many mysteries of how a man can believe in anything and even achieve that.

His was the time when INDIA was emerging out of “Dark Age”. That was the time when the old values were losing their relevance and the new were yet to be established. It was an age of confusion which permeated every walk of society.

The Dharma, which was so far a guiding force was being subjected to the contradictory interpretations.

Taking the advantage of this confusion, Alexander invaded INDIA with the help of the selfish rulers of border states. Chanakya witnessed and felt the severe trauma of this major invasion by a foreigner.

Contrary to Alexander, the earlier invaders settled down in INDIA, but here was an invasion of a totally “alien culture & army” which had its own traditions & strengths.

Interestingly, this shattering jolt helped efface the prevailing confusion in INDIA and expedited the emergence of a new system, which was actually authored by none other than “CHANAKYA”.
He was indeed the first thinker of the ancient time who established the sense of nationalism and the love of the country in the minds of general public.

He was the first man who ensured that people don’t blindly bow towards their DHARMA as the discipline of their actions, he nurtured and sometimes with force ensured people owe their basic allegiance to the RAJYA (State of Nation) and not to the DHARMA.

He was the essential nationalist who made the concept of the State as Paramount. Nation comes first.

Imagine what CHANAKYA might have faced in doing so, perhaps he was fighting everyone in this country as the DHARMA was the only rule at that time.

He strongly felt the need to renovate the system of our country and went all out to carve the new INDIA at a time when INDIA was moving towards self-destruction.

Though some historians might dis-agree that the situation in INDIA was so bad or whether DHARMA was ever straying in hands of wrong doers, the essential thing to understand here is that the man had the GUTS & CONVICTION to stand against almost a NATION to establish what he believed was right.

Chanakya was indeed a true leader who demonstrated in real sense how to “WALK YOUR TALK”, and he believed not only in imparting instructions but in also seeing their practical implementations.

Chanakya actually carved a major part of what we know today as our country along with his disciple Chandragupta and also ensured people respect their nation and love it.

What is a better proof of the results of this magnanimous person that for a coming full millennium no major invasion was undertaken towards the INDIAN Borders.

Also the social, civil & political norms that Chanakya established had the concept of Democracy in its embryonic form.

Chanakya’s greatness is evident in two of his shlokas (CHANAKYA NITI), where he said :-

Shloka 1 :- “The best metal Gold satisfies all other senses but has no fragrance, sugarcane, the best stem is fruitless and the sandal, the best wood has no flowers.” Essence - “Nothing is perfect in this world”, every creation will have scope to improve further”.

Shloka 2 :- “Rains over the sea are useless, so is feeding the well fed, giving alms to a rich man and burning a lamp in daytime is a wastage.” Essence - “There is time for doing for every action, No action should be taken without knowing the subject and an objective in mind.”
If we look inside, most of us in our lifetime have more or less developed an accurate habit of fixing blames of our failures on either the things we don’t have or can’t have, or resources we can’t possess or own.


Interestingly Chanakya was an example of very few people who made their weaknesses or scarcity their major strengths, especially Chanakya.


The things which separated CHANAKYA from others during his time, who had perhaps stronger body, younger age, more ability, higher resources, and better knowledge.

Courage – Ability to withstand anything in life.
Conviction – Belief in self and an unsatisfied hunger to do more and more
Wisdom – Read people, environment, situations, & take planned & calculated actions
Leadership – Lead people to what they can do by being a teacher-coach-guide-friend Coaching/ Mentoring – Coach by examples & principles Have a strong Vision/ Purpose for yourself.