All posts tagged Chanakya

Murders in the Harem(Post No.9360)

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Post No. 9360

Date uploaded in London – –9 MARCH  2021     

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Murders in the Harem

Kautilya has given graphic details about the murders that happened in the harems 2400 years ago. He/ king shall not touch any woman, unless he is apprised of personal

tags –  murders, harem, Kautilya, Chanakya

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CHANAKYA AND TAMIL POET VALLUVAR ON EDUCATION (Post No.4859)

WRITTEN by London Swaminathan 

 

Date: 28 MARCH 2018

 

Time uploaded in London –  16-47

 

Post No. 4859

 

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(பிறர் எழுதியதைத் திருடுபவனும் பிறர் மனைவியைத் திருடுபவனும் பிறர் பொருளைத் திருடுபவனும் ஒன்றே – ஐன்ஸ்டீனின் அண்ணன், பெர்னார்ட் ஷாவின் தம்பி, காந்திஜியின் தாத்தா சொன்னது)

 

It gives great pleasure to see the same thoughts in two great men Chanakya (3rd century BCE) and Tiruvalluvar (Fourth or Fifth Century CE  dated linguistically, first century BCE dated politically).

 

On Education

Handsome and young , born in high families, if uneducated, would look no good like the Kimsuka trees with no fragrance.

Chankaya Niti 3-5

 

Tamil Poet Tiruvalluvar says,

Those who are unable to elucidate their learning are like a cluster of blossoms without fragrance- Kural 650

 

Letters and Numbers are the two eyes of man – Kural 392

xxxx

 

Learned Men = Citizens of the World!

A learned man wins admiration in the world, he gets honour, everything is obtained through knowledge, knowledge is revered everywhere- 8-20

 

What excessive weight is there for those possessed of strength,?

what is distant for the energetic,

what is a foreign country for the learned and

who is alien for the one with sweet tongue?

3- 13

 

Tamil Poet Tiruvalluvar says,

The learned find their home and town everywhere. Why not learn and learn till death –Kural 397

 

xxxx

Ugly ones and Educated

The beauty of cuckoos is in their sweet cooing, that of women in their faithfulness and loyalty to their husbands, that of ugly ones in their knowledge and that of ascetics in forgiveness.

3-6

Tiruvalluvar says,

A wife who may not worship God but wakes up with worshipful devotion to her husband has the power to make rain fall at her bidding- Kural 55

 

xxxx

Knowledge is Kamadhenu

Knowledge has in it the quality of the desire-yielding cow. It yields fruit even when there is no season for it. In foreign sojourn it acts like other. Knowledge is accepted as a secret treasure.4-5

Learning is the lasting joyful wealth; all other material wealth are lost in time – Kural 400

The heritage of culture acquired in one birth lasts to the seventh- Kural 399

 

xxx

 

Lower Birth and Higher Birth

What one has to do with a high family where there is no education. One born in a low family, if learned, is adored even by gods 8-19

 

Tiruvalluvar says,

Though high-born, an unlettered man is deemed lower than a leaned man of lower birth  – Kural 409

(I have already compared this to Sangam Tamil verse Purananuru 183 and Manu Smrti 10-65, 2-240, 2-234).

 

–subham-

 

 

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A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED-MANU AND VALLUVAR ON FRIENDSHIP (Post No.4852)

A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED-MANU AND VALLUVAR ON FRIENDSHIP (Post No.4852)


Written by London Swaminathan 

 

 

Date: 26 MARCH 2018

 

 

British Summer Time uploaded in London – 17-07

 

Post No. 4852

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He is a true friend who stands by one in disease, in adversity, in famine, in danger from enemies, at the royal gate and at the cremation ground.

Chanakya Niti 1-12

aature vyasane praapte durbikshe satrusankate

raajadwaare smasaane ca yasthishtati  sa bhaandhavah

 

xxx

They are the real sons who are devoted to their father, father is one who brings the offspring, a friend is one who can be trusted, a wife is one who gives happiness.

2-4

 

One should keep away from a friend who harms the mission in one’s absence, but talks sweetly when face to face. He is a jar of poison with milk in its upper portion.

2-5

 

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.

2-6

xxx

Compare these with the following couplets from Tamil Veda ‘Tirukkural’

 

Like the hand , that goes to the rescue when a garment slips, stepping into help

when a friend faces adversity, is true friendship – Kural 788

 

Friendship is not for pleasant laughter alone, but for harsh and ethical advice too

promptly given, when one swerves from the right path- Kural 784

 

A surface smile on the face is not friendship, genuine affection,

springs from the heart and lights up the face- Kural 786

 

The true friend keeps one away from the wrong path, and helps him follow the right path,

and also stands by him, if misfortune falls nevertheless – Kural 787

 

The throne of genuine friendship is found, without doubt, where two allied hearts beat,

under all circumstances, in unison and mutual support- Kural 789

 

It is wise to acquire and hold on to faultless friendships, and equally good,

to dispense with undependable friendships, even at a price- Kural 800

 

–subham–

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CHANAKYA ON VEDIC INTERPRETATION (Post No.4809)

Compiled by London Swaminathan 

 

Date: 4 MARCH 2018

 

Time uploaded in London – 7-57 am

 

Post No. 4809

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Chanakya’s views on Vedas in Chanakya Niti,

 

Interpreting the scholarship in Veda in a different manner, as also the conduct prescribed in Sastras, speaking bad words for no reason to a peaceful person, people needlessly subject themselves to torment.

–Chanakya Niti 5-11

 

Success, Accomplishment

 

The study of the Veda has no meaning without the performance of the sacrifices, the sacrifice has no meaning without the gifts, without intent there is no success or accomplishment. Hence intent is the root cause of all types of success or accomplishments.

8-10

 

The homes that do not have the mud caused by the washing of the feet of the Brahmins, where there is no roaring sound of the Vedas and Sastras (Vedic recitation), nor are the sounds of Svaahaa and Svadhaa, are like cremation grounds.

12-10

 

Numbers

Penance is performed by all by oneself, study by two together, singing by three in the same way, travel by four in the same manner, cultivation likewise with five and battle with so many put together.

4-12

 

–SUBHAM–

 

 

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STRANGE BELIEFS OF SANGAM TAMIL POETS AND CHANAKYA (Post No.4802)

Written by London Swaminathan 

 

Date: 2 MARCH 2018

 

Time uploaded in London – 16-56

 

Post No. 4802

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India is one country; Indian culture is one culture from Himalayas to Kanyakumari. India has been united for several thousand years. Even before the foreign invaders came, it was one country with one culture. It is amazing to see the people in the north and the south shared the same beliefs about fish, tortoise and crocodile for over 2000 years. What Chanakya said in a sloka/verse 2300 years in Bihar (Magada Samrajya) is in  2000 year old Sangam Tamil literature. And this belief is unique to India!

Chanakya said in Chanakya Niti

“Just as a female fish rears its offspring by sight, a female tortoise by thinking about it and a female bird by touching it, so does contact with good people (the human beings)”

The message is that good people’s thought, contact and sight influence a person. It helps a person.

darsana dyaanasam sparsair matsii kuurmii ca pakshnii

sisum paalayate wityam tathaa sajjanasangatih

4-3

 

In south India goddess Meenakshi of Madurai is called Fish eyed goddess. She protects her devotees like the fish. Sangam Tamil literature say that the tortoises and turtles always think about the eggs they have laid and this only hatches them.

Sangam Poets say,

The hero’s love is as essential to the life of the heroine as is the tender care of the mother turtle to the growth of its young ones.

-Kuruntokai 152

 

Like the young ones of turtles  looking towards their mother’s faces.

–Ainkurunuru 44, Akam.160

In several places around the world, the turtles lay eggs in thousands in the coastal areas and when the turtle eggs are hatched they swim towards their mother turtles by instinct. Probably this led to the belief that the turtle and its young one always think about each other.

Fish Eyed Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai Temple.

 

xxx

Education

(I have already given part of the following passage)

 

“One should accept nectar even from poison, gold even from filth, knowledge even from a lowly person and a jewel of a woman even from a lowly family”

Chankaya niti, chapter 1, sloka/verse17

Vishaadapyamrutam graahyamedhyaadapi kaancanam

Niicaadapyuttamaam vidhyaam striiratnam dushkulaadapi

Tamil Poet Tiruvalluvar says,

Men with learning, even of lower birth, are of greater worth,

Than ignorant men though high born (Kural 409)

Parimel Azakar, the most famous commentator of Tirukkural says,

“This means that the superiority of the understanding born of learning, which gets attached to the soul for ever, is greater than the superiority of one’s caste which dies along with one’s body” (K M Balasubramaniam’s translation of Parimel Azakar’s comment)

 

Tamil king Nedunchezian in Purananuru  verse 183 says that the king would call for service one from the lowest of the four Varnas if he is more educated.

Manu says that a person can learn from the lowest caste and treat him like Guru. He also says women can be married from any caste if they are good. Vasistha’s wife Arundhati is shown as an example.

 

Manu Smrti says in second chapter

2-238. He who possesses faith may receive pure learning even from a man of lower caste, the highest law even from the lowest, and an excellent wife even from a base family.

2-239. Even from poison nectar may be taken, even from a child good advice, even from a foe (a lesson in) good conduct, and even from an impure (substance) gold.

(This verse is in Chanakya  Niti as well)

2-240. Excellent wives, learning, the knowledge of the law, the rules of purity, good advice, and various arts may be acquired from anybody.

2-241. It is prescribed that in times of distress a student may learn the Veda from one who is not a Brahmana; and that he shall walk behind and serve (such a) teacher, as long as the instruction lasts. (This shows Vedas were memorised by other castes as well; Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaisyas wen to Guru Kula to learn the Vedas)

Great Men Think Alike!

 

–Subham–

 

 

 

 

 

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PLAN YOUR DAY- CHANAKYA’S ADVICE (Post No.4798)

Written by London Swaminathan 

 

Date: 1 MARCH 2018

 

Time uploaded in London – 20-54

 

Post No. 4798

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It is amazing to see that Chanakya advised us 2300 years ago on the things what we read in hundreds of Self Improvement books today. How to Win Your friends? How to live your life? How to make money? How to plan your day? and books like these decorate the bookshelves at our home and in the book shops.

Here are a few slokas/verses from Chanakya Niti:

One should think about these again and again:

What time it is?

Who are friends?

Which country/town/place it is?

What are the income and expenditure?

Who I am?

How is my strength?

In short, we should take into account the time, place, our aim/purpose/goal in life, our friends and money matters.

kaha kaalaha kaani mitraani ko desaha kau avyayaa agamau

kaschaaham kaa ca me saktiriti cintyam muhurmuhuhu

Chanakya Niti 4-18

xxx

 

 

Don’t Worry Too much

Which family is there that does not have its loopholes?

Who is there who has not suffered ailment?

Who is there who has not met with an adversity?

Who has had happiness endlessly?

3-1

kasya doshah kule naasti vyaadhinaa ko na piiditah

vyasanam kena na praaptam kasya saukhyam nirantaram – 3-1

 

xxx

Who are your Six Relatives?

Truth is mother, knowledge is father, Dharma is brother, compassion is sister, peace is wife, forgiveness is son – these six are my relatives.

satyam maataa pitaa njaanam dharmo brataa dayaa svasaa

saantih patnii kshamaa putrah shadete mama bhandavaah – 12-11

 

xxx

Sacrifice One Person!

One should surrender one person for the sake of the family;

the family for the sake of the village;

the village for the sake of the country and

the earth for one’s own sake

3-10

tyajedekam kulasyaarthe graamasyaarthe kulam tyajet

graamam janapadasyaarthe aatmaarthe pruthviim tyajet

xxx

All Alone!

One takes birth and dies alone, alone one experiences what is good and bad, goes to hell alone and attains the highest goal alone.

5-13

Who is your Friend?

Knowledge acts as friend in foreign visits;

Wife is friend at home;

Medicine is the friend of the sick;

Dharma is the friend of the dead

vidhyaa mitram pravaaseesu bharyaa mitram gruhesu ca

vyaadhitasyausadham mitram Dharmo mitram mrutasya ca

5-15

xxx

Don’t live

 

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

Earth rests on Truth

The earth rests on Truth, through truth the Sun radiates the heat, through truth blows the wind. Everything rests on truth

 

Satyena dhaaryate pruthvii Satyena   tapate ravih

Satyena vaati vaayusca sarvam Satye  pratishtitam

5-19

 

–Subham—

 

 

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No Make-up, No Drama, No Song—Chanakya Strict with Students! (Post No.4768)

Date: 20 FEBRUARY 2018

 

Time uploaded in London- 16-59

 

Written by London swaminathan

 

Post No. 4768

 

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CHANAKYA ON STUDENT-TEACHER RELATIONSHIP

Very few poets or law makers talk about the relationship between students and teachers. But we have lot about it in Manu Smrti and Upanishads.

 

Here are some verses from the Chanakya Niti translated by Satya Vrat Shasri (formerly Professor in Delhi University and JNU, Delhi)

A student should shun the following eight: Passion, Anger, Greed, Relish, Make-up, song and drama shows, too much sleep and flattery.

Chankya Niti, Chapter 11, verse 10

kaamam krodham tathaa svaadam srungarakautuke

atinidraatiseve ca vidhyaarthii hyaashta varjayet

 

xxx

Don’t Teach Dull Students

Even a wise man comes to grief by teaching dull students, by looking after bad women and by keeping company with the miserable.

Chanakya Niti, Chapter 1, verse 4

 

muurkhasishyopadesena dushtastriibaranena ca

dukkitaihi samprayogena panditoapyavasiidati

xxx

 

Bookish Knowledge!

Those who have read books but have not studied with teachers, create no impression in an assembly like women carrying through illicit contact.

Chanakya Niti, Chapter 17, verse 1

 

pustakesu ca yaaadhiitam naadhiitam gurusannidhau

sabhaamadhye na sobhante jaaragarbhaa iva striiyaha

 

xxx

 

Even a single syllable that a teacher teaches a pupil, there is no object in the world by offering which he can repay the debt.

Chanakya Niti, Chapter 15, verse 2

ekamevaaksharam yastu guruhu sishyam prabodayet

pruthivyaa naasti tada dravyam datvaa caanrunii bhavet

xxx

Manu on Students attending Veda Class

2-117. (A student) shall first reverentially salute that (teacher) from whom he receives (knowledge), referring to worldly affairs, to the Veda, or to the Brahman.

2-119. One must not sit down on a couch or seat which a superior occupies; and he who occupies a couch or seat shall rise to meet a (superior), and (afterwards) salute him.

2-120. For the vital airs of a young man mount upwards to leave his body when an elder approaches; but by rising to meet him and saluting he recovers them.

2-121. He who habitually salutes and constantly pays reverence to the aged obtains an increase of four (things), (viz.) length of life, knowledge, fame, (and) strength.

2-122. After the (word of) salutation, a Brahmana who greets an elder must pronounce his name, saying, ‘I am N. N.’

 

This is from second chapter of Manu Smrti.

xxxx

Following Mantra is from the Taittiriya Upanishad, recited just before the class begins:-

ॐ सह नाववतु ।
सह नौ भुनक्तु ।
सह वीर्यं करवावहै ।
तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥


Om Saha Naav[au]-Avatu |
Saha Nau Bhunaktu |
Saha Viiryam Karavaavahai |
Tejasvi Naav[au]-Adhiitam-Astu Maa Vidvissaavahai |
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||

Meaning:
1: Om, May God Protect us Both (the Teacher and the Student) (during the journey of awakening our Knowledge),
2: May God Nourish us Both (with that spring of Knowledge which nourishes life when awakened),
3: May we Work Together with Energy and Vigour (cleansing ourselves with that flow of energy for the Knowledge to manifest),
4: May our Study be Enlightening (taking us towards the true Essence underlying everything), and not giving rise to Hostility (by constricting the understanding of the Essence in a particular manifestation only),
5: Om, Peace, Peace, Peace

 

This shows the highest stage Hindus reached around 1000 BCE. No other culture even thought about such a thing at that time.

 

xxxx SUBHAM xxx

 

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Chanakya and Tamil Poetess Avvaiyar (Post No.4739)

Date: 13 FEBRUARY 2018

 

Time uploaded in London- 20-46

 

Written by London swaminathan

 

Post No. 4739

 

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Who is Chanakya?

A Brahmin scholar, statesman, author of the first economics book in the world (Arthasastra), a king maker and author of several didactic works. He lived 2300 years ago.

 

Who is Avvaiyar?

There were at least three poetesses by the name Avvaiyar. Some people even say that there were six Avvaiyars. Most famous Avvaiyar lived 2000 years ago in Tamil Nadu during Sangam age. But the Avvaiyar who wrote Muuthrai belonged to the middle ages. Her Athichudi is taught to the infants in the school.

 

Chanakya says,

If people make friends with a person of evil conduct, evil eye, evil habitation, the wicked one, the person doing so comes to naught quickly.

Duraacaariivca durdushtirduraavaasii ca durjanah

Yanmaitrii kriyate pumbirnarah siighram vinasyati

Chapter 2, sloka 19

Avoid contact with the wicked, associate with the good, engage in good deeds day in day out, keep in mind impermanence all the time.

Tyaja durjanasamsargam bhaja saadhusamaagamam

Kuru punya mahoraatram smara nityamanityataam

Chapter 14, sloka 20

 

Tamil Poetess Avvaiyar says,

To see the vicious is bad; to give ear to the words of the wicked is evil. To voice forth the base qualities of the evil or vulgar is wicked. To associate with them as friends is sinful.

Muuthurai 9

xxxxxx

 

Bull 5 metres, Horse 10 metres, elephant 1000 metres!

 

One should keep away from a cart to the distance of five hastas ( a measure of length equal to 24 angulas or about 18 inches) from a horse ten hastas, an elephant 100 hastas and for a wicked man even by leaving the country

Chapter 7, sloka 7

Sakatam pancahastena dasahastena vaajinam

Hastinam satahastena desatyaagena durjanam

 

This is in Tamil work ‘Neethi Venba:’ Keep away from horned animals to the distance of 5 hastas, from a horse ten hastas, for an elephant 1000 hastas and for a wicked man run away as long as he disappears from your sight.

Neethi Venba is by an anonymous author.

 

xxxxxx

 

Sandalwood and Sugar cane

Chanakya says,

The sandal wood tree, even when cut, does not give up its fragrance, a lordly elephant, even when old, does not give up its playfulness; sugarcane, even when inserted in machine, does not give up its sweetness. One born in a high family, even when reduced to poverty, does not give up the qualities going with good conduct.

Chapter 15, sloka 18

Chinnopi candanatarurna jahaati gandham

Vruddopi vaaranapatirna jahaati liilaam

Yantraarpito madhurataam  na jahaati  cekshuh

Kshiinopi na tyajanti siilagunaan kuliinah

 

Avvaiyar says,

Though the milk be boiled, it does not lose taste. Though enemies move sociably, they are enemies. The noble-hearted be reduced in circumstances, they are ever noble. The conch shell, though burnt is white nevertheless.

Muuthurai 4

The fragrance of the soft sandal wood, even when ground down, does not abate. Though wreathed kings suffer defeats and have less revenues, will they thereby become less generous or less resolute?

Muuthurai 28

 

xxxxxxxxxx

 

Can crow become an eagle?

Chankaya says,

 

One goes up by one’s qualities and not by occupying a high seat. Does a crow by sitting on top of a place turn into Garuda?

Gunairuttamataam yaati noccaira asanasamsthitah

Praasaadasikharasthopi kaakah kim garudaayate

Chapter 16, verse 6

Avvaiyar says,

The turkey cock, seeing the wild peacock dance, fancies itself to be and spreads its own unattractive wings and dances. So is the little learning of the ignorant man.

Muuthurai 14

 

xxxxxx

Good are always Good!

Meru may shake at the end of the Yuga, the seven oceans may turn rough at the end of the Kalpa. The good however, would not turn away from what they had undertaken.

Chapter 13, sloka 19

 

Yugaante calate meruh kalpaante sapta saagaraah

Saadhavah pratipannaarthaan na calanti kadaacana

 

Avvaiyar

The great, though fallen, are great and those who are not great, when they fall are non-entities. Though a precious gold pot breaks it is still god (valuable). What will be mud pot worth when it is broken? –

Muuthurai 18

 

—- Subham—

 

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‘SOME ARE BORN GREAT’: CHANAKYA AND SHAKESPEARE! (Post No.4669)

WRITTEN by London Swaminathan 

 

Date: 27 JANUARY 2018

 

Time uploaded in London – 13-07

 

Post No. 4669

Pictures shown here are taken from various sources such as Facebook friends, Books, Google and newspapers; thanks.

 

 

 

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Chanakya, the great Indian genius, who lived 2300 years ago composed some verses on fame and good qualities. We see good similarities between him and other poets such as Shakespeare and Tiru Valluvar.

 

Here are Chanakya’s verses in his work Chanakya Niti:

“One goes by one’s qualities and not by occupying a high seat. Does a crow by sitting on the top of a place turn into Garuda?

“It is qualities that elicit praise and not enormous riches. Does the full moon evoke as much worship as the week but spotless one the day after the new moon day?

 

“With others proclaiming his qualities, even a person with no qualities comes to possess them. With his own self proclaiming his qualities even Indra loses his stature.

 

Chnakaya Niti , Chapter 16, slokas 6, 7, 8

Now compare it with Shakespeare’s famous quote in Twelfth Night,

(Malvalio  reads a letter)

 

“If this letter falls into your hands, think carefully about what it says. By my birth I rank above you, but don’t be afraid of my greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. Your fate awaits you. Accept it in body and spirit. To get used to the life you’ll most likely be leading soon, get rid of your low-class trappings. Show some eagerness for the new upscale lifestyle that’s waiting.”

 

Tiru Valluvar says,

In the abode of the gods, more honoured than the saints are those who have won lasting fame on earth.

Kural 234

Better to be born covered with glory on earth than never to be born at all.

Kural 236

 

Bemoan your own sloth that stands in your way to glory; why fret about the insults that others hurl at you?

Kural 237

 

Verily do the wise cry shame on those that leave no foot prints on the sands of time when there is glory to be sought and won in the world of men.

Kural 238

Alive is the soul that is free from reproach; but dead is the heart that lives without a name

Kural 240

xxx

Where and When Qualities Shine?

Chanakya adds two more verses on qualities (Guna)

“Qualities appear more charming when associated with a wise person. A jewel when united with (studded) in gold shines all the more.

“Even he who equals the omniscient one through his qualities, if alone, with none to support him, comes to grief. Even a priceless jewel needs the support of gold.

chapter 16, slokas 10 and 11

 

xxxxxxxx SUBHAM xxxxxx

 

1 Comment
by Tamil and Vedas on January 27, 2018  •  Permalink
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HERBAL MYSTERY IN CHANAKYA NITI! (Post No.4645)

Written by London Swaminathan 

 

Date: 21 JANUARY 2018

 

Time uploaded in London 15-22

 

 

 

Post No. 4645

Pictures shown here are taken from various sources such as Facebook friends, Books, Google and newspapers; thanks.

 

 

 

WARNING: PLEASE SHARE MY ARTICLES; BUT DON’T SHARE IT WITHOUT AUTHOR’S NAME AND THE BLOG NAME. BE HONEST; OTHERS WILL BE HONEST WITH YOU.

 

We know that Chanakya alias Kautilya was a great economist, author of the world’s first economic book Arthasastra, a poor and ugly Brahmin, a king maker, a statesman and author of several didactic works. But no one considered him a medicine man; yet he made some passing remarks about herbs and health tips. The puzzling one is a sloka/ couplet about a herb called Amruta. Here comes the trouble! What is Amruta?

 

Like no two clocks agree no two herb books on the term Amruta; but we are not wasting tie in identifying what exactly is Amruta. Whatever they say about different Amrutas is good according to Ayurveda, the ancient Hindu medical system.

 

Let us explore it further:

His sloka in Chanakya Niti runs like this:

sarvushadhinaamamrutaa pradhaanaa

sarveshu saukyeshvasanam pradhaanam.

 

sarvendriyaanaam nayanam pradhaanam

sarveshy gathreshu sirah pradhaanam

–chanakya niti, chapter 9, sloka 4

 

The translation for this sloka according to Satya Vat Shastri, a great scholar in Sanskrit, is as follows

“Of all the herbs it is the Cocculus Cordifolius that is the best, of all the forms of happiness it is eating that is so, of all the sense organs it is eye that steals the palm, of all the limbs it is the head that stands out”.

 

The next step is to identify this herb Cocculus cordifolius. In Sanskrit they call it Amrutavalli or Amrutaballi. But Chanakya just gave the name Amrutaa.

 

This Cocculus Cordifolius itself has another name Tinospora cordifolia. Both these names agree the leaf is Cordi= heart shaped, Folia= leaf. The leaf is heart shaped (like Pipal or peepul tree leaf)

 

The Ayurvedic sources give two  candidates for this name Amrutavalli; one is Guduchi and another is Amrutavalli. In Tamil we get Seenthil kodi or Sirukattukkodi. Most probably Seenthil corresponds with Amrutavalli. Bothe these have lot of curative properties. Diabetes, Cancer, Arthritis etc cured by these herbs.

 

It is interesting to see that Chankya mentioned this herb 2300 years ago.

xxxx

 

Water is a Medicine

Chanakya says,

“In indigestion water is the medicine, with the digestion of the food it imparts strength, it is nectar during meals and is poison at the end of them”

Ajiirne beshajam vaari jeerne vaari balapradam

bhojame caamrutam vaari bhojanaante vishapradam

chapter 8, sloka 7

 

xxx

 

Butter Power!

Chanakya says,

“Flour has ten times more of potency in it than rice, milk has ten times more of it than flour, meat has eight times more of it than milk and ghee has ten times more of it than meat”

Ghee= clarified butter or melted butter

 

annaad dasagunam pishtam pishtaad dasagunam payah

payasoshtagunam maamsam maamsaad dasagunam ghrutam

chapter 9, sloka 19

 

“Diseases catch up with vegetables, body gains in strength with milk, semen increases with ghee, flesh gains from flesh”

saakena roogaa vardhante payasaa vardhate tanuh

ghrutena vardhate viiryam maamsaanmaamsam pravardhate

chapter 9, sloka 20.

 

My comments:

Here the power of clarified butter is explained. Brahmins consume it a lot in all the ceremonies. So it may be a warning about cholesterol.

The effect of meat is explained very well. Tamil poet Tiruvalluvar also said the same. What is the use of eating flesh to increase one’s own meat/flesh? asks Valluvar in Tirukkural.

 

Chanakya’s statement about vegetables should be understood properly. If you don’t cook or wash and cook the vegetables it serves as a  source of diseases. Apart from it certain vegetables are avoided when one is on regular Siddha or Ayurvedic medication. This is not in allopathic medicines.

In modern terms we can translate ‘potency’ (in the sloka) as cholesterol.

 

–SUBHAM–

2 Comments
by Tamil and Vedas on January 21, 2018  •  Permalink
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