Acharya Chanakya, also known as Kautilya and Vishnugupta, lived a life filled with complexities and mysteries. Let us delve into an intriguing and moving story from his life. A simple Brahmin named Chanak, residing in a border town of Magadha, was discontent with the King. He aimed to reach the position of Prime Minister to protect the kingdom from foreign invaders.
To achieve this, he devised a plan with his friend, Amatya Shakatara, to overthrow Dhanananda. However, the secret agents of the Gupta empire informed Mahamatyas Rakshasa and Katyayan of this plot. They conveyed the conspiracy to the Magadha emperor, Dhanananda. Consequently, Chanak was apprehended, and the news spread throughout the kingdom that a Brahmin would be executed for treason.
Upon hearing this, Chanakya's young son, Kautilya, was deeply distressed. Chanak's severed head was displayed at the capital's crossroads. Witnessing his father's severed head, Kautilya, then only 14 years old, could not restrain the tears of blood from his eyes. Under the cover of darkness, he carefully retrieved his father's head from a bamboo post, wrapped it in cloth, and left.
The boy performed his father's last rites alone. Kautilya then took Ganga water in his hands and vowed, "O Ganga, until I avenge my father's murder from the assassin, I shall not eat cooked food. My father's soul will find peace only when the murderer's blood flows on his ashes. O Yama, erase Dhanananda's name from your records."
Following this, Kautilya changed his name to Vishnugupta. A learned scholar, Radhamohan, recognized Vishnugupta's talent and secured his admission to the Taxila University. This marked the beginning of a new life for Vishnugupta, also known as Chanakya. At Taxila, Chanakya attracted not only students, heads of colleges, and renowned scholars, but also kings of neighboring states, including Porus.
The Saga of Alexander's Invasion
During Alexander's invasion, Chanakya supported Porus. After Alexander's defeat and entry into Taxila, Vishnugupta returned to his homeland, Magadha, and embarked on a new life there. He reunited with Shakatara, who, now aged, informed him of the state of the kingdom. Chanakya observed how Dhanananda had ravaged his kingdom. Meanwhile, foreign invasions were escalating, and Dhanananda was indulging in debauchery, drinking, and violence.
Once, Vishnugupta attended a royal court. Presenting himself as a teacher from Taxila, he expressed his concerns about the kingdom. He also mentioned the Greek invasion and voiced his suspicion that the Greeks might invade their kingdom as well. He bly criticized King Dhanananda and urged him to safeguard the kingdom. However, in the vast assembly, Acharya Chanakya was insulted and ridiculed.
Later, Chanakya met Shakatara again, who informed him of the discontent among many in the kingdom, including Mura's son, Chandragupta. Dhanananda had, due to some suspicion, forced Mura into exile in the forest. The next day, disguised as an astrologer, Chanakya and Shakatara went to the forest where Mura lived and witnessed Chandragupta assuming the role of a king. It was then that Chanakya decided to make Chandragupta his life's purpose, thus marking another new chapter for Chanakya. Kautilya, alias Vishnugupta, also known as Chanakya, not only educated and trained Chandragupta, but also united the Bhil, tribal, and forest people to form an army, overthrew Dhanananda's empire, and established Chandragupta as the emperor of Magadha. Subsequently, Chanakya served as Chief Minister, guiding Chandragupta's son, Bindusara, and grandson, Emperor Ashoka, as well.
