THE REFUGE- CHANDRAGUPTA'S VICTORY , "sudhansu" JVKLN SASTRY

CHAPTER 9
The Benefit of Refuge

Chanakya troubled by the insult meted out to him by the Nandas was going alone in a forest like a great serpent trodden on its tail. He was heaving sighs like those of poisonous gases. Trees, anthills, and mounds had been passing by him one after another. But Chankya was blind to all of them. ‘Revenge’ was the word resounding in his heart and the memory of insult had been making him angrier and angrier. A great scholar, well-wisher of the world , a matchless man in Magadha empire like himself had to pass through that sort of rough patch! What about the ommon people? In stead of eating and keeping quiet, the Nandas manhandled him for no reason. They had woken up a sleeping lion. These Nandas would inevitably become moths in the fire of his wrath like the Kauravas perished in Draupadi’s anger in the past. Thus Chanakya had been walking briskly thinking several things.

Suddenly a thorn stuck to Chanakya’s feet who had been walking in a mood of forgetfulness. He became angry, took out the thorn and said. “ oh, thorn! Have I become inferior even to you? Do you stick to my feet? Wait, I’ ll smash you and your arrogance and turn you into ashes.” Having said that, he took the thorn and pressed into ash , mixed with water and drank it in a gulp.
Chandragupta who had been watching this scene got surprised , went t o him and spoke to him, “Swami! Who are you/ where are you going at this time? Your act appears very strange! Would you please enlighten me about you?”

Chanakya looked at him from top to bottom and said. “ Me! I am a Brahmin who has begun the punishing of evil! A black cobra in the act of finishing the enemies! I am called ‘Chanakya’ by scholars, “Kautilya’ by the shrewd, and ‘Vishnugupta’ by the common people.

Chandra got elated on finding that bright figure as Chanakya. He fell on his feet and said, ‘Excuse me , Gurudev! So far I couldn’t recognize you due to ignorqnce. Under the order of Panini, I am going to meet you. I am none other than Maurya Chandragupta banished by the arrogant Nanda kings.”

Chankya looked at Chandra- tall-built, with broad-chest, bright, humble , teacher-send and became elated. He thought that god had sent him to fulfill his pledge. He spoke in a dignified tone, “ okay, prince! You have come at the right time, now I need a royal man like you. You are my disciple! You will become the future emperor of India !the evil nature of the Nandas grew like anything. They lost their popular support and awaiting their destruction. They would turn into ashes in my anger. You’ ll be famous as the firs emperor of India and as protector of the Hindu dharma. The burden is mine and this is Arya Chanakya’s assurance.’ He patted on the back of Chandra and blessed him, new lights appeared in the faces of both the teacher and the disciple.

Chanakya had been walking on the banks of the Ganges along with Maurya Chandragupta. To the heroic fire of Chandra is added the wind of Chanakya’s acumen.