Speeches From Around The World

Discovering The Chanakya In You

Once you start working on something, don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest. This was a very famous quote said by the greatest kingmaker of all times – Chanakya. He was a person who was an amazing strategist and a very successful man in all walks of life.

Good morning judges, ma'am and my dear friends. Today, let me help you discover the Chanakya within you.

Chanakya was a person who has inspired many people. Not only kids, but adults, old people also have been motivated by his ideas.

Chanakya was born in the kingdom of Magadh, Bihar. His father was Chanak. Chanak was a teacher and a very respected person in the society. So for Chanakya, his father was his role model. On birth, Chanakya was named Vishnugupta. As he was a master of Kuta Niti or politics he got the name Kautilya. He helped many kings, most of all Chandragupta Maurya. He wrote many books like Kautilya's Arthashastra, Chanakya Niti etc. Kautilya's Arthashatra is one of his most influential books. Arthashastra actually means the science of politics but Kautilya's Arthashastra deals with strategies, ideas for all walks of life, motivational quotes, solutions to life's problems. Back then, it was like a manual guide to kings on leadership, warfare etc. It has 6000 sutras and dealing with over 180 topics.

Everyone of us has a Chanakya in ourself. He was one of India's finest ratnas or jewels. He was a person everyone of us would want to be. He was complete within himself.

Once, one of his most potent followers Chandragupta Maurya had asked him that what was
one quality within him and made him so different from others but still so much alike. Chanakya had told him that he was not at all different from others. It was just his ideas and beliefs that were different. But that didn't make him a person to worship. Anyone could become like him if they had the right education, guidance and utmost devotion towards God.

So there are some ways in which you can discover the Chanakya in you, which might be growing right this moment.

The first step is that you should read Kautilya's Arthashastra. But you should make sure have this 4 krupas or graces with you while you are reading it. Atma Krupa – Self Grace, Ishwar Krupa – God's Grace, Guru Krupa – Teacher's Grace & Shastra Krupa – The book's grace. If u read the Shastra with these 4 graces you can completely understand the book and apply it in your life.

The second step is to read quotes given by Chanakya. Then read books written on the life of Chanakya. Then the last step practice everything you have read from him, about him in your life. Slowly, you'll see that the suppressed Chanakya within you is brought to life.

I, as a student have learnt many things from Chanakya. He has taught me that when u read books don't just carelessly read it but try to find the inner meaning of it. He has also taught me that you should always focus on your goal no matter how many hardships or distractions fall your way. And after saying all this I would like to end on a inspiring note by saying a quote given by Chanakya.

There is no austerity equal to a balanced mind, and there is no happiness equal to contentment, there is no disease like covetousness, and no virtue like mercy.

Thankyou