Chanakya in Daily Life

by Radhakrishnan Pillai

‘You are not a human being on a spiritual journey. You are a spiritual being on a human journey.’

‘Come any problem, in life—I am ready. Because, I know that no problem is a problem for a person who thinks with clarity and purpose.’

‘The best make-up on your face is a smile.’ This will help make sure that your ‘good morning’ becomes a ‘good day’.

And remember, silence is the greatest music. Sit quietly every day for twenty minutes and listen to your soul.

Worrying is like a rocking chair, it moves but does not go ahead. There is action but no progress. Thinking, on the other hand, enables one to move forward. From solving problems to creating art, the power of imagination really has no bounds.

Careful planning followed by execution is the key to success. Swami Chinmayananda used to say, ‘Plan out your work, and work out your plan.’

‘Wealth will slip away from the foolish person who continuously consults the stars; for wealth is the star of wealth; what will the stars do? Capable men will certainly secure wealth at least after a hundred trails.’ (9.4.26)

Swami Vivekananda put it well: ‘There is no greater force in this world than human will, coupled with faith.’

What is to be done during afternoons then? Chanakya advises, ‘During the remaining part of the day (afternoon), he should learn new things.’ (1.5.15)

‘The inner world and outer world is the same,’ said Swami Vivekananda. So if you have to change your outer world, it is important to first work on your inner world.

Chanakya, therefore, suggested pursuing studies for everyone in any walk of life. ‘The duties of a king (leader) are—studying, performing sacrifices for self, making gifts and protecting beings.’ (1.3.6)

Chanakya also suggested studying to businessmen, teachers and people in other professions. ‘During the third part of the day, he should take his bath and meals and devote himself to study.’ (1.19.11) The instruction continues to suggest studying during the day: ‘During the second part of the night, he should take bath and meals and engage in study.’ (1.19.19)

As management guru Steven Covey said, ‘Read deep and read wide. Also, read scholarly and research papers for your personal growth.’

Meditation is not just something you ‘do’. It is also a state of mind to ‘be’ in, something that you develop throughout your life. You turn meditation into a lifelong experience. A combination of contemplation (manan) and meditation (dhyana) leads us to a state of mind that is spiritual.

So what are the benefits of regular and deep meditation? Chanakya says, ‘Anvikshiki keeps the mind steady in adversity and prosperity and brings about proficiency in thought, speech and action.’ (1.2.11)

When things are going completely wrong and one does not know what to do, one must find a way to keep calm. But when things are going right and everything seems to be moving in a positive direction, it’s still important to keep calm.

There are two types of food—the physical food that we eat, and the food for thought. The real wisdom lies in choosing your food carefully. Right food consumed in the right manner can help transform the health of your mind and body.

‘He (king) should set the preceptors or ministers as the bounds of proper conduct (for himself), who should restrain him from occasions of harm, or when he is erring in private, should prick him with the goad in the form of indication of time for the performance of his regular duties by means of the shadow of the water clock.’ (1.7.8)

‘One doing whatever pleases him does not achieve anything.’ (7.11.35)

Someone once said that the most productive years of a person is between the ages of forty to sixty. At forty you are not inexperienced. You have a good sense of what life is all about. But you also have twenty more productive years ahead of you. So recognizing the pattern of your life at forty sets you on the path towards a higher, purposeful life. A midlife crisis can become a midlife boon.

Here’s a secret—the universe is full of patterns. To understand it, you first need to understand its patterns. Our life is simply a reflection of the universe it exists in.

If you look at the definition of a hobby, it means an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation. Gardening, reading, singing, are all considered hobbies that people do, other than their professional work. But the truth is, if you follow your hobby diligently, it might end up being more productive than your main occupation.

Once, a confused disciple asked his guru, ‘What is to be done when you do not know what is right and what is wrong?’ The guru smiled as he said, ‘Follow your heart.’ The heart, your inner voice, always knows right from wrong. Listen to that voice.

Indian scriptures mention two paths towards success—shreyas (path of good) and preyas (path of pleasure).

Peter Drucker, the famous management guru, said, ‘In today’s world, work is not given, it is to be determined.’

‘I AM A self-made person.’ There cannot be a more arrogant and selfish statement than this. People who say this do not value the contribution of others. A number of people help us become successful. Some help us indirectly. Our parents, our teachers, our friends and workplace colleagues, all contribute to make us successful, but indirectly. Sometimes they become a hurdle to our progress. But by and large they are the reason why we stand on our feet and become successful in life. These people are the strong foundation of our lives.

A successful person was once asked, ‘What is the secret of success?’ He answered, ‘Success comes due to three factors—hard work, teamwork and God’s grace.’

‘Rulership can be successfully carried out (only) with the help of associates. One wheel alone does not turn. Therefore, he should appoint ministers and listen to their opinion.’ (1.7.9)

Our former president, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, was known for this quality. When any of his projects succeeded, he gave the credit to his team members and project managers. When he failed, he took full responsibility for the failure.

Humility is what draws everyone towards you.

Growth is a natural process. But it can also be strategically planned. Just look at a forest and a farm. Both are part of nature. They are equally subject to natural laws. But the difference is that a forest grows of its own accord, while a farm is designed by humans.

‘This single treatise on the science of politics (Kautilya’s Arthashastra) has been prepared mostly by bringing together the teachings of as many treatises on the science of politics (previous Arthashastras) as have been composed by ancient teachers for the acquisition and protection of the earth.’ (1.1.1) This is the opening verse of the Arthashastra.

As Swami Chinmayananda put it well, ‘To have friends, be a friendly person first.’

Also, this question is generally asked—what if I train them and they leave the company? The answer to the question is another strange question—what if you don’t train them and they stay? So it’s better if you train them.

Someone asked a spiritual master, ‘If death comes to you, what would you say?’ He said in excitement, ‘I would tell him, why are you so late? I have been waiting for such a long time to meet you. Come on. Let’s go.’

Chanakya also takes his inspiration of setting up an ideal kingdom and society based on the Vedic system in the Arthashastra. He says, ‘The duties of a householder are: earning his living in accordance with his own special duty; marrying into the families of the same caste, but not of the same gotra; approaching the wife during the (right) time; worship of gods, Manes and guests; making gifts to dependents and eating what is left over (after the others have eaten).’ (1.3.9)

A wise man was asked, ‘Sir, what do you suggest, a love marriage or an arranged marriage?’ With a smile he said, ‘I suggest a successful marriage.’

YOUR FAMILY COMPLETES you. No matter what you achieve in life and how far you travel, it is your family that you will always find comfort in, that you’ll always want to return to.

Usually it is said that the women of the house should follow the three Ls with regards to eating—last, least and leftover. But Chanakya advises every householder, including the male members, to follow these habits.

A poor hard-working man once told his wife, ‘One day we will be rich.’ The wife looked into his eyes and said, ‘We are already rich, we have each other. One day we will have money too.’

‘A man must read and study a shloka (Sanskrit couplet) every day. If it is not possible, read half of it, or a part of it or at least a word. Never let any day go without some study of a written word. One should make one’s day fruitful by doing good work and study.’ (CN 2.13)

And remember, good times show you who your friends are. Bad times reveal who your true friends are.

‘For the first five years, love your child unconditionally, for the next ten years, discipline him. From the sixteenth year onwards, treat him as a friend.’ (3.18)

Kahlil Gibran put it well in his book, The Prophet: Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.

‘While the body is healthy and work worthy and death is away, one must do charity and good deeds. When death comes there will be no time left to do anything.’ (CN 4.4)

‘A man must quit a religion that does not preach love and kindness. Similarly one should leave a teacher who has no knowledge to impart, a person who has a short temper and relatives who have no love to give.’ (CN 4.16)

The first opening line of the Arthashastra of Chanakya starts with a prayer, ‘Om Namah Sukra Brihaspati-abyam.’