Anu-Chintanam

Chanakya, also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta, was an ancient Indian scholar, teacher, philosopher, and statesman who lived during the 4th century BCE. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest strategists and political thinkers in Indian history. Chanakya’s teachings and principles are compiled in a text called the “Arthashastra,” which encompasses various aspects of governance, diplomacy, economics, and statecraft.

Chanakya’s niti continues to be studied and respected by scholars and leaders worldwide for its insights into governance and leadership. His teachings have influenced numerous subsequent political thinkers and continue to be relevant in contemporary discussions on politics and administration.

गुणैरुत्तुङ्गतां याति नोच्चैरासनसंस्थितः।
प्रासादशिखरस्थोऽपि काकः किं गरुडायते॥

English – Man becomes the excellent or best only when his qualities are perfect. No person can be considered the best on the basis of his position. It is just like a crow does not become an eagle by sitting on the top of a palace.

Hindi – मनुष्य सर्वश्रेष्ठ या उत्तम तभी बनता है जब उसके गुण उत्तम होते हैं । किसी भी व्यक्ति को उसके पद के आधार पर सर्वश्रेष्ठ नहीं माना जा सकता है। यह बिल्कुल वैसा ही है जैसे कौआ महल के शिखर पर बैठकर गरुड नहीं बन जाता।

Kannada – ಅವನ ಗುಣಗಳು ಪರಿಪೂರ್ಣವಾದಾಗ ಮಾತ್ರ ಮನುಷ್ಯ ಅತ್ಯುತ್ತಮ ಅಥವಾ ಉತ್ತಮನಾಗುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಯಾವುದೇ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ಅವನ ಸ್ಥಾನದ ಆಧಾರದ ಮೇಲೆ ಉತ್ತಮ ಎಂದು ಪರಿಗಣಿಸಲಾಗುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಹೇಗೆ ಅರಮನೆಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಕುಳಿತ ಕಾಗೆ ಹದ್ದು ಆಗುವುದಿಲ್ಲವೋ ಹಾಗೆ.

Sanskrit – मनुष्यः उत्तमः श्रेष्ठः वा भवति यदा तस्य गुणाः परिपूर्णा भवन्ति। व्यक्तेः पदम् आधारीकृत्य श्रेष्ठः इति न मन्तव्यः । यथा – काकः प्रासादम् आरुह्य उपविशति परन्तु गरुडः भवितुम् अर्हति वा ? (न कदापि ) ।