18 Qualities To Become Invincible
According To Chanakya Neeti
Introduction
Chanakya, also known as Kautilya or Vishnu Gupta was the mentor who enabled Chandragupta Maurya to found the Mauryan Empire, arguably the greatest Indian empire.
He is known for having written Arthashastra, a treatise on wealth or economy targeted towards kings.
He’s also the author of Chanakya Neeti, a shorter work targeting the common man.
In chapter 6, verses 15 to 22 of this work, he talks about 20 virtues that will make us invincible in everything we do. 2 virtues are missing from the translation. So, I have reduced it to 18 virtues.
In translations of the original work, it’s difficult to understand and visualise all the virtues. So, this article is an attempt to present the virtues in a more usable form for me and my readers. Text in parenthesis is my take on the qualities where I found it necessary.
Inspiration From Animals
In a probable attempt at making the virtues memorable, inspiration is drawn from animals and different numbers of virtues are associated with different animals.
He advices us to learn 1 quality from a lion, 1 from a crane, 4 from a cock, 5 from a crow, 6 from a dog (2 missing) and 3 from a donkey.
The Virtues
Lion
Whatever you intend doing, do with whole-hearted and strenuous effort.
Crane
Accomplish your purpose with knowledge of your place, time and ability (be realistic about your strengths and weaknesses, timing etc.)
Cock
Wake at the proper time (modern knowledge says this must be a minimum of 7 hours of sleep and sleeping between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m.)
Take a bold stand and fight.
Make a fair division of property among relatives.
Earn your bread by personal exertion.
Crow
Have sex in privacy (the translator has added ‘with one’s wife’, which I don’t agree with as it seems like the result of the imposition of conservative Islamic and Christian values due to Indian rulers from these religions on the more liberal Hinduism that gave rise to the Kamasutra).
Be bold.
Store useful items (probably not to be confused with cluttering with useless items).
Be watchful.
Don’t trust others easily.
Dog
Be content with little or nothing to eat although you may have a great appetite.
Awaken instantly even if in deep sleep.
Unflinching devotion to your master (boss, in a modern context? Would that be wise?)
Be brave.
Donkey
Though tired, do your work.
Be unmindful of cold and heat (weather).
Be contented.
Conclusion
I hope these qualities help you become invincible in everything you do.
Reference
Chanakya Neeti: With The Complete Sutras by General Press, published by Adhyaya Books House LLP.
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