Insightful stuff as usual. I'd like to suggest another usage of this weighty quote here: the words should remind us of how precarious our mental state can be, especially in times of turbulence. Also, since times of peace are few and far between indeed, it may be best to spend a lot more time with our mental health than we actually do. Thanks for this, Jayshree!
Thank you, Jayshree! I was hooked into this post by my love of Lord Rama, and then, surprise! The Arthashastra is completely new to me. I’m looking forward to reading it!
Hum, following your link to R. Shamasastry's translation; I found some of Chanakya's thoughts expressed in his Arthashastra curious from today's POV. For example in chapter 2 Wonderful and Delusive Contrivances, of book 14 Secret means; "External application of the liquid essence of the egg of a parrot and cuckoo brings on leprosy." or "The fire generated by churning the bone of a monkey by means of a bamboo stick of white and black colour (kalmāṣaveṇu) burns in water instead of being quenched."
However I admit folks has different ideas in 296 B.C. and earlier.
lol, what a great find! Now, we know he should have stuck with his core expertise! Patrick O’s books is excerpted in Google Books. Thanks for the laugh, Jim!
Also he may not have said such. Book 14, and parts of other books to me, read at odds with the main theme. In the over 2320 years since his sayings have, of course, been written and recopied multiple times.
It's possible, probable scribes through the centuries included their own additions as his thoughts. I always try to consider such when something doesn't quite fit the narrative.
Patrick's translation is available as well in Google Books - Link above, though they may only show sample pages. I do believe that may be the case - additions of other scholars to the document. What I found amazing was the level of detail in it - how much to pay staff,the king, etc.
The moment I read the second line in the post, my mind immediately recalled “Vinashakale vipareetha buddhi”. Something I’ve heard hundreds of times from my elders. You have done a great job explaining its origins and that of the most revered strategist in Indian history - Chanakya. 👏🏼
Insightful stuff as usual. I'd like to suggest another usage of this weighty quote here: the words should remind us of how precarious our mental state can be, especially in times of turbulence. Also, since times of peace are few and far between indeed, it may be best to spend a lot more time with our mental health than we actually do. Thanks for this, Jayshree!
Hi Jack, thanks for sharing. It is indeed seems like a time of upheaval everywhere we look! Sometimes, the ancient tales invite reflection.
You're right, Jayshree! Time we learned from those who've gone before...
Thank you, Jayshree! I was hooked into this post by my love of Lord Rama, and then, surprise! The Arthashastra is completely new to me. I’m looking forward to reading it!
You are welcome. Glad to hear it. Did you miss the latest in the Rama series published this week?
https://jayshreegururaj.substack.com/p/the-bird-that-fought-a-demon-king?r=1si0oc&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I had somehow missed it. Thanks for the heads-up!
Hum, following your link to R. Shamasastry's translation; I found some of Chanakya's thoughts expressed in his Arthashastra curious from today's POV. For example in chapter 2 Wonderful and Delusive Contrivances, of book 14 Secret means; "External application of the liquid essence of the egg of a parrot and cuckoo brings on leprosy." or "The fire generated by churning the bone of a monkey by means of a bamboo stick of white and black colour (kalmāṣaveṇu) burns in water instead of being quenched."
However I admit folks has different ideas in 296 B.C. and earlier.
lol, what a great find! Now, we know he should have stuck with his core expertise! Patrick O’s books is excerpted in Google Books. Thanks for the laugh, Jim!
Also he may not have said such. Book 14, and parts of other books to me, read at odds with the main theme. In the over 2320 years since his sayings have, of course, been written and recopied multiple times.
It's possible, probable scribes through the centuries included their own additions as his thoughts. I always try to consider such when something doesn't quite fit the narrative.
Patrick's translation is available as well in Google Books - Link above, though they may only show sample pages. I do believe that may be the case - additions of other scholars to the document. What I found amazing was the level of detail in it - how much to pay staff,the king, etc.
The moment I read the second line in the post, my mind immediately recalled “Vinashakale vipareetha buddhi”. Something I’ve heard hundreds of times from my elders. You have done a great job explaining its origins and that of the most revered strategist in Indian history - Chanakya. 👏🏼
Thanks so much Divya, glad to hear it. I was surprised to find the original verse was associated with Rama.