The Father of Ethics

Chanakya (350-275 BC), also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta, was born in Pataliputra, Magadh (modern Bihar), and later moved to Taxila, in Gandhar province (now in Pakistan). He was a professor of political science at the Takshashila University and later the Prime Minister of the Emperor Chandragupta Maurya.

One day in the court of Chandragupta Maurya, the Prime Minister Chanakya, sat dictating a letters to the neighbouring king. Interspacing his letters with witty and philosophical remarks he advised the neighbouring king “"Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous."

He exhorted the kings of the country to join hands and use their muscle to throw out invaders who were invariably attracted towards the rich and fertile land of India. It pained him to note the small dreams for kings and princes who sought personal gains over those of the country as a whole 

A servant entered his chamber and waited respectfully for Chanakya to notice him. Eventually Chanakya looked at the servant, who bowed low.

“My Lord, Vishwadutta, the ambassador of the Royal Court of Takshashila awaits your audience.”

The arrival of Vishwadutta the previous evening was known to Chanakya, he kept himself abreast of all comings and goings in the kingdoms, especially of those of eminence. Chanakya rose from his seat and went to the door, and saw the Ambassador seated in the lounge. Chanakya approached the Ambassador with folded hands

“Forgive me, Your Excellency” he said “I was so lost in my own thoughts, that I was unaware of your arrival. I regret that you have had to wait to meet me.”

Vishwadutta was taken aback by the courtesy Chanakya had shown him, he bowed to Chanakya and said,

“For one who has come unannounced, to meet you is good fortune and that too within a few minutes of my arrival. Your King, the Great Chandragupta Maurya is lucky to have you to advice him.”

Vishwadutta and Chanakya made their way into the meeting room. They had a lot to discuss. Takshashila was facing the might of the Macedonian King Alakshandra (Alexander), and Chanakya was the most sought out strategist of his time.

Chanakya, a Brahmin from Pataliputra had traveled to Takshashila for his education, and later taught at the University of Takshashila, as the Professor of Political Science.  He had already made his mark as an economist and had written a treatise on economics (arthashastra) under the pen name of Kautilya. He was probably known more for his integrity and honesty than anything else.

“My respects to the King and Lord Chandragupta Maurya, I bring the good wishes of my King, who hopes that Chandragupta rules over his kingdom for hundreds of years.” Said Vishwadutta.

“While both of you know, it is not possible,” laughed Chanakya, “for my King is as mortal as yours. Immortality is a boon, one should not ask for in vain.”

“True as it is, one can always hope and pray.” Vishwadutta left it at that, and opened bade his servants forward to present Chanakya with jewels and precious stones which he had brought for the Prime Minister.

Chanakya touched the gifts and bade his servants take them to the treasury.

“Your Honour” said Vishwadutta, “they are for you. Gifts for your King will be handed over to his Majesty.”

“For me?” asked Chanakya, “I see no gifts that you have brought for the common citizen of Patliputra. These gifts are for Chanakya – the Prime Minister. Since they are given to me due to the post I hold at the grace of my King, they belong to my king.”

With these formalities out of the way, the two began their discussions in earnest. They spoke about the year gone by, the agricultural output of their lands, the revenue of the kingdoms, the health and prosperity of the people and a hundred of other things that are discussed at such meetings.

Long before they realized, darkness had fallen and the most people had left their work places for their homes. Seeing that the aides were impatient to leave Vishwadutta tried to end the meeting.

“It is time for the cows to come home, the lamps are being lit. I think we could continue this discussion tomorrow.” He said.

“Tomorrow, first thing in the morning, my King will meet you, and then you are to meet the Chief of the Army and the Minister for Defense and War. Later tomorrow there will be an official banquet in your honour, we may not have the time.”

“Vishwadutta, I find you an honourable man, a man whose opinion I respect, and whose company I enjoy. If you are not otherwise occupied, may I invite you to my home, as my personal guest, we could wind up our discussions and then you are invited to join me for the evening meal. Is that acceptable?” asked Chanakya.

“It will be my honour” said Vishwadutta.

“Good, then it is fixed. My aides will see you back at the guest house that has been kept aside for you. You may change your dress and refresh yourself; a palanquin shall wait at the door to bring you to my house. I live very close by, and I shall be waiting for you.” Said Chanakya.

As Chanakya rose, his aides rushed with his papers, unfinished letters and writing materials. At the door, Chanakya strode out into the street and began to walk home, with his aides following him. He could see the palanquins of other ministers hurrying away from the palace; heavily guarded the Ministers sat back in their flower decked palanquins and watched Chanakya walk to his home.

Every Minister at Chandragupta’s court had his own retinue of servants, palanquin bearers and guards. Every Minister, except Chanakya. He preferred to walk home without any guards around him.

‘What fear should a man have in his own home?’ Chanakya had asked his King, when the king queried about the absence of guards around him. ‘If I am so unpopular, that I should be attacked, then you have not chosen the Prime Minister wisely.’ Chandragupta never again asked him about the lack of security around him.

Chilly winds were blowing as the bearers lifted Vishwadutta resting in the palanquin. Well wrapped in shawls Vishwadutta marveled at the city of Patliputra which was the richest and the largest city n the entire world. Well laid out roads, crossing each other at right angles, entire blocks of shops and houses for commoners, and mansions of rich dotted the landscape.

Barely a mile away, the palanquin halted before a small house. “My Lord” said the captain of accompanying soldiers “We are at the Acharya’s house”. Vishwadutta marveled that Chanakya was addressed as the Acharya (Professor) rather than a Lord. He stepped out, but before he could take a step, Chanakya stood before him, with brass vessel holding warm water in his hands.

Vishwadutta washed his feet and entered the home. As he entered he saw that he was in tastefully decorated sitting room. All around the room were artifacts which seemed collected from far off lands, lands which Chanakya had visited during his illustrious career. The seating places were covered by a fresh white cloth and every where there were flowers whose scent wafted through the air.

Chanakya bade his guest sit on a cushion, and offered a glass of warm and scented milk. Flavoured with the essence of roses, the milk had crushed almonds and was sweetened with honey. A few strands of saffron floated on the surface. As Vishwadutta took a sip, Chanakya had returned with a plate bearing roasted nuts. This he placed at his guest’s right hand. Chanakya made four trips to the inner rooms of the house returning each time with a dish, which he placed within the reach of Vishwadutta.

Only after his guest was made comfortable did Chanakya take his seat and opened his satchel of papers.

“Now coming to the fortification of your borders…” he began where they had left off.

Vishwadutta looked around the room, there were twelve lamps spaced around the room, which were lit. Filled with fragrant oil, there were wicks around which the flame danced.   Placed next to each lighted lamp was an unlit lamp. ‘Probably stand by lamps’ thought Vishwadutta.

Twice Vishwadutta thought of asking Chanakya about the second set of lamps, but he refrained from doing so. He was not familiar with the customs of Pataliputra, nor was he privy to the behaviour of people of this part of the country. He was a guest here and he resolved to maintain his profile as a guest.

“The armoury, is it producing the arms that your soldiers need? And can its capacity be increased suddenly if the need arises” asked Chanakya.

The discussion went on for the next one hour. Till they exhausted all the points they needed to discuss. Vishwadutta thought that they would smoothly change over the topic, but that was not Chanakya’s way.

“That brings us to an end of our talks” said Chanakya, “now we can talk of personal things and relax.”

Chanakya got up again and went inside the house, he returned with a jug of wine and two goblets which he placed before them. He did not pour out the wine but, he reached for the nearest lamp and lighted a taper with it. He blew out the lamp and lighted the lamp that stood next to it. He then moved to the next lamp, he put out the lit lamp and lit the unlit lamp. Chanakya went round the room putting out the lamps one by one and lighting the lamps which stood silent till then.

Vishwadutta watched Chanakya go about the room at this work. Putting out the lamps which were lit and lighting those which were unlit. He finished attending to all the lamps and then poured out the wine for Vishwadutta. He left the room and came back with more and more snacks for his guest.

“I am puzzled” said Vishwadutta, “You put out the lamps which were giving us light. And you lighted the other set of lamps. If I may ask, why is that?”

“When you came to my house, we first discussed matters of the state. After completing our discussion now we are sitting as friends and you are my personal guest. Your being in my home is not a matter of the state but a personal one.”

“The first set of lamps burn oil that is provided to me by the state for state purposes. The second set of lamps carry oil that I have purchased from my own income.  So long as we were discussing matters of the state, it is ethical to use oil provided by the state. But when we are sitting as friends, there is no reason why the state should be burdened with the expense of the oil.”

Chanakya laid down the foundations of economics and diplomacy, his name is still taken with pride and honour. The area in Delhi where foreign embassies are located is known as Chanakyapuri and diplomacy is known as Chanakyaniti. Chanakya’s integrity, honesty and his practice of ethics has unfortunately been forgotten by both the common people and Ministers of today.