Chanakya: Part VIII

Two Ways

But personal revenge was not the aim of Chanakya. He wanted that the kingdom should be secure and that the administration should go on smoothly, bringing happiness to the people.

 

He thought there were two ways to ensure this: First, Amatya Rakshasa had to be made Chandragupta's minister; secondly, a book must be written, laying down how a king should conduct himself, how he should protect himself and the kingdom from the enemies, how to ensure law and order, and so on.

 

Amatya Rakshasa

To bring Amatya Rakshasaas Chandragupta's minister! Chanakya's thought appears at first sight very strange indeed. Amatya was totally loyal to the Nandas. Would he agree to be Chandragupta's minister?

 

It appears even after the death Nandas, Amatya Rakshasa made several attempts to get-Chandragupta killed; and Chanakya had to protect Chandragupta with utmost care, until he finally made Amatya Rakshasa agree to be the minister. This is the theme of a famous drama entitled "Mudra Rakshasa" written by Vishakha- dutta. All that this literary work expounds cannot be accepted as history. But by and large it portrays the struggle between the two statesmen, each of which was an intellectual giant.

 

Amatya Rakshasa tried in many ways to have Chandragupta killed. Once when Chandragupta was getting a new palace called "Kumara Bhavana" constructed, Amatya sent for an official by name Bhuvanapala and told him - "My friend, you must help me in a big way. Please decorate Kumara Bhavana on a very grand scale. Let it have all royal amenities for Chandragupta to live therein. In the bedroom, fix large full-size mirrors near the cot, and behind them let there be niches in the wall so that armed soldiers can hid there. They must wait for the right times a kill him. Let this be done very secretly. Here is a bag of gold for you."

 

Bhuvanapala made these arrangements in Kumara Bhavana as suggested by Amatya Rakshasa, without giving room for any suspicion to Chandragupta.

 

When Chandragupta expressed his desire to change his residence to Kumara Bhavana, Chanakya said - "Yes, but I will first see that place. If everything is all right, you can move in there on an auspicious day. "

 

Chanakya went with some trusted soldiers to Kumara Bhavana. The decorations were all really good. Yet his eyes were very sharp. He said - "This mirror does not suit the place. Shift it there. That portrait should not be there. Bring it here."

 

And then the soldiers hiding in the niches with drawn swords were discovered. They had been stationed there by Amatya Rakshasa to kill Chandragupta. Chanakya had them arrested and executed.

 

 

 

Chandanadasa to the Gallows

When Amatya Rakshasa fled from Pataliputra, he could not take his wife and children with him. His wife was pregnant. He left his wife and children with Chandanadasa who was a very intimate friend of his.

 

Chanakya tried very hard to find out where Amatya was hiding. He found that his wife and children were in Chandanadasa's house. He sent for Chandanadasa and talking of sundry matters, he suddenly asked, "By the way, Amatya Rakshasa's wife and children are in Your house, aren't they'?

 

Chandanadasa trembled. He understood why he had been sent for. He could guess that his very life was at stake now. 'What if?' he thought. 'One should never betray a friend. To surrender Amatya Rakshasa's wife and children would be against all canons of good conduct and virtue. Chanakya is a very cruel person., He might not hesitate to do anything to them. Even if I die, I should not betray my friend.' So resolving, Chandanadasa said, "Your Honour, I do not know anything about them".

 

Chanakya's eyes were red with anger. He said, "Think well and speak the truth, Chandanadasa. Remember that traitors to the king get only one punishment, namely death. "

 

Chandanadasa knew that his end was near. He saluted Chanakya and replied, "Sir, your pleasure. You are capable of doing anything. But I can only say that I do not know anything about Amatya Rakshasa's family."

 

Chanakya in his heart appreciated his loyalty. He thought, 'Whatever the circumstance, this true friend will not betray. He should not be killed. Anyone must appreciate his loyalty to his friend. Killing one with such loyalty is no virtue. But if an order is proclaimed that he is being hanged, and if it is made to reach Amatya, then he will surely come here."

 

In outward anger, he thundered, "Throw this traitor into prison." He proclaimed that Chandanadasa would be hanged.