CHANAKYA’S WARNING: DON’T DO THE FOLLOWING THINGS! (Post No.4589)
Written by London Swaminathan
Date: 6 JANUARY 2018
Time uploaded in London-13-31
Post No. 4589
Pictures shown here are taken from various sources such as Facebook friends, Books, Google and newspapers; thanks.
Chanakya was a great genius. He was a great statesman, astute politician, an author and an economist. But some of his ‘Dos and Donts’ look very strange. Probably there was a reason for it 2300 years ago. He lived during the days of Alexander. Following slokas (verses) are from his book Chanakya Niti.
1.Nails and Women
One should never trust those with nails and horns and those with arms in hand, (as also), the rivers, the women and the members of the royal households.
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 1, Sloka 15
nakhinaam ca nadiinaancha srunginaam sastrapaaninaam
visvaaso naiva kartavyah striishu rajakuleshu ca
xxx
2.Don’t live if there is no civility
One should not live there which does not have the following five:–
the means of livelihood, fear (about rules, regulations) , modesty, civility and charity (the nature to give or relinquish)
lokayaatraa bhayam lajjaa daakshinyam tyaagasiilataa
panca yatra na vidyante na kuryaat tatra samsthatim
Chapter 1, Sloka 10
xxx
3.Dont live in the country…………..
One should keep away from that country where there is no respect, no means of livelihood, no relatives, no acquisition of knowledge or skill.
Yasmin dese na sammaano na vruttirna ca bhandhavaah
na ca vidyaagamah kasichattam desam parivarjayet
Chapter 1, Sloka 8
xxx
4.Don’t live in a town if there is no Doctor
A place which does not have these five:- rich person, a Vedic scholar, a king, a river, and a doctor (Physician) – one should not stay even for a day!
dhanikah srotriyo raajaa nadii vaidhyastu pancamah
panca yatra na vidhyante na tatra divasam vaset
Verse 6 of Chapter 1
xxx
- Beware of Friends
One should not trust a bad friend, nor should repose too much of trust (even in good) friend lest the friend in a fit of rage were to lay bare all the secrets.
Chapter 2, Verse 6
na visvaset kumitre ca mitre caatiwa visvaset
kadaacit kupitamitram sarvam guhyaam prakaasayet
xxx
6.Never reveal Your Plans/ Ideas
One should not reveal through words (talk about) an action one has in mind. One should keep it secret in his counsel and apply it to one’s mission.
Chapter 2, verse 7
manasaa chintitam kaaryam vachasaa na prakaasayet
mantrena rakshayet guudam kaarye chaapi niyojayet.
Some of his instructions are valid even today.
Source for slokas: Chanakya Niti, translated by Satya Vrat Shastri, Kolkata.
–subham-
Tamil and Vedas 