On the Religion of Canakya
Summary
The article "On the Religion of Canakya" by Jyoti Prasad Jain examines the religious affiliation of Canakya, the reputed author of the Arthasastra and chief architect of the first historical Indian empire. The author argues that Canakya, also known as Kautilya, was a Jaina by religion, a fact the author claims has not yet been given due recognition by modern historians despite the availability of substantial evidence. The article asserts that Canakya, like his royal master Candragupta Maurya (circa 325-297 B.C.), was a follower of Jainism. The author contends that there is no lack of evidence or scholarly attention regarding this matter, directly refuting recent claims made in Jaina periodicals. To support this argument, the author cites a body of scholarly work published over the preceding forty years. Key sources discussed include Muni Nyaya Vijaya’s article “Canakya and his Dharma” in Anekant (Vol. II No. 1, Nov. 1938, pp. 105-115), Prof. C. D. Chatterjee’s paper “Early Life of Candragupta Maurya” in the B.C. Law Volume, and the present author’s own works: “The Jaina Sources of the Life-story of Candragupta & Canakya” in Jain Siddhanta Bhaskar (Vol. XV No. 1, July 1948, pp. 17-24), “Candragupta and Canakya” in Jain Siddhanta Bhaskar (Vol. XVII No. 1, June 1950, pp. 1-16), and the book Bharatiya Itihas : Ek Dygti (1st ed. 1961, 2nd ed. 1966, pp. 76-90). Additionally, B. Kamta Prasad Jain’s book The Religion of Tirthankaras (published by World Jain Mission, Aliganj, 1964, p. 133) is referenced. The author further notes that both the Digambara and Svetam-bara traditions are unanimous that Canakya was born of Jaina parents, remained a Jaina by faith, and ended his days as a Jaina ascetic. The article also mentions Muni Mahendra Kumar ‘Pratham’s’ recent article in several periodicals and Dr. Satyaketu Vidyalankar’s intention to publish a revised second edition of his History of the Mauryas, which included discussions of this topic with the present author.
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Conclusion
This article reasserts the historical fact that Canakya, the chief architect of the Mauryan Empire and author of the Arthashastra, was a devout Jain. While the Jain faith of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya is widely recognized, the religious identity of his prime minister has been historically neglected by modern scholars despite substantial evidence. The author synthesizes previous scholarly works from the past four decades, including those by Muni Nyaya Vijaya, Prof. C. D. Chatterjee, B. Kamta Prasad Jain, and others, to demonstrate that Canakya was born to Jain parents, maintained his faith throughout his life, and ultimately renounced the world as a Jain ascetic. The unanimous agreement between the Digambara and Svetambara sects on this matter underscores its validity. The article serves as a crucial call to action, urging historians to integrate this well-established fact into mainstream historical narratives of ancient India, thereby acknowledging the profound influence of Jainism on the foundational political and administrative structures of the subcontinent.