Read Online Chankya's Chant by Ashwin Sanghi - Free Book Online

arrows, Chanakya. That’s harsh reality for you.’
    ‘I don’t blame you, Katyayanji. If it weren’t for you, I would never have survived. I shall remain indebted to you for the rest of my life. My anger is due to the hopeless situation. It isn’t directed at you.’
    ‘I understand, Chanakya. Let’s try to direct this rage to some productive use. If you want Dhanananda ejected from his throne, you need men, materials, allies, and planning… and as you’re well aware, at the root of all these is wealth. You need money if you hope to achieve the purge of Magadha.’

    The Feast of Wisdom was the annual banquet hosted by the king for learned Brahmin gurus from all over his kingdom. Their feet would be washed, they would be fed, provided with gifts of gold and, in turn, they would bless the king and his kingdom. Pataliputra Palace was festooned with marigolds and banana leaves for the grand event. Hundreds of cooks slaved within the royal kitchens to prepare choice dishes as offerings to the Brahmins. Outside the palace gates, drummers beat their skins in a frenzied rhythm to announce that the feast of wisdom had begun. Before the feast commenced, however, the list of winners who would be fed by the king and honoured with endowments had to be decided. This was done through a series of open debates in court, with the sovereign in attendance. Those who performed well in these open debates would earn distinction through royal recognition and favours.
    Dhanananda was in court, but reluctantly. He was in a foul mood. The fat oaf, the rajpurohit —the court astrologer—had been looking at the king’s horoscope, and had found his second star, Venus, conjunct with deceptive Ketu in the sixth house, to be in close proximity to Saturn. He had warned Dhanananda that the day was not an auspicious one for him and that he should expect trouble. ‘You’ve been in your Rahu Mahadasha for the past year, my lord. Mars is the eighth planet, representing death, transformation, and change, from the ascendant, Moon, and Sun. Saturn, the sixth governor of court battles, has also been trailing your Sun and Moon’s tenth aspect, and ascendant’s third aspect by transit. Be careful of what you say and do today, O King!’ exclaimed the astrologer.

    ‘Be careful of what you say and do today, Chanakya,’ advised Katyayan, although Chanakya had no intention of participating in any competition. He was far too distinguished a scholar for any such event. He simply wished to observe the proceedings of Dhanananda’s court and better understand the equation between the king and his new prime minister, Rakshas. He ensured that he remained suitably hidden within the throng of the palace guests and out of the direct line of sight of Dhanananda. His error, however, was to stand alongside Katyayan and to remain within the sight of Rakshas. Rakshas recognised the ugly Chanakya instantly. Seeing an opportunity to let some sparks fly, he sombrely announced, ‘Magadha is honoured to have present here among us today, her illustrious son, Chanakya, who is a revered professor at the renowned Takshila University. The court shall be delighted to kick off today’s competitions with a discussion by the acharya.’ Polite applause followed and Chanakya reluctantly took centre stage. ‘Measure your words and hold your temper,’ Katyayan whispered urgently as Chanakya walked away from him.
    ‘Om! Salutations to Brihaspati and Sukra, the gurus of the gods and antigods, and the originators of the science of politics,’ started Chanakya as an opening invocation, facing Dhanananda seated on his royal throne with Rakshas standing at his right hand. ‘Om!’ chanted the assembly in chorus.
    ‘O enlightened teacher, how can society work in harmony towards the progress of the kingdom?’ asked Rakshas.
    ‘By performing one’s duty. The duties of a Brahmin are studying, teaching and interceding on man’s behalf with the gods. The duties of a Kshatriya are