Life Lessons from Ancient India, Chanakyaneeti by Chanakya
Do not be very upright in your dealings for you would see by going to the forest that straight trees are cut down while bent ones are left standing. Therefore, with an eye to the public good, I shall speak that which, when understood, will lead to an understanding of things in
their proper perspective.
Here are 20 life lessons of Chanakya
Lesson 1: Do not inhabit a country where you are not appreciated, where you cannot earn your livelihood, where you don’t have companions, and where you can’t obtain knowledge.
Lesson 2: He who gives up what is imperishable for that which is perishable, loses that which is imperishable; and without doubt, Loses that which is perishable also.
Lesson 3: Even from poison extract nectar, wash and take back gold if it has fallen in filth. Also, receive the highest knowledge from any person.
Lesson 4: Avoid him who talks sweetly before you but tries to ruin you behind your back, for he is like a pitcher of poison with milk on top.
Lesson 5: Do not put your trust in a bad companion nor even trust an ordinary friend, for if he should get angry with you, he may bring all your secrets to light. Additionally, do not reveal what you have thought upon doing, but by wise counsel keep it secret, being determined to carry it into execution
Lesson 6: Learning is like a cow of desire. It, like her, yields in all seasons. Like a mother, it feeds you on your journey. Therefore, learning
is a hidden treasure (In ancient India, Cows were respected and worshipped by people)
Lesson 7: That man who is without ethics and mercy should be rejected.
A guru without spiritual knowledge should be rejected. The lover with an offensive face should be given up, and so should relatives who are without affection.
Lesson 8: The learned are envied by the foolish; rich men by the poor; chaste women by adulteresses; and beautiful ladies by ugly ones
Lesson 9: He who has wealth has friends. He who is wealthy has relatives. The rich one alone is called a man, and the affluent alone are respected as a pundit.
Lesson 10: The one excellent thing that can be learned from a LION is that whatever a man intends doing, give your 100%.
Lesson 11: To wake at the proper time; to take a bold stand and fight; to make a fair division among relations; to earn one's own bread by personal exertion are the 4excellent things to be learned from a COCK.
Lesson 12: Union in privacy (with one's lover); boldness; storing away useful items; watchfulness; and not easily trusting others; these five things are to be learned from a CROW.
Lesson 13: Satisfied even with less food, wakeup instantly (light sleep), unflinching devotion to the master; and bravery; these qualities
should be learned from the DOG.
Lesson 14: Carrying the duties even too; Not complaining of cold and heat, always contented; these three things should be learned from the ASS.
Lesson 15: Of what avail is a high birth if a person is destitute of scholarship? A man who travels from a poor country is honored even by the demigods if he is learned.
Lesson 16: One of the most powerful ethic from Chanakyaneeti: The elephant has a huge body but is controlled by the Ankush (goad):
yet, is the goad as large as the elephant?
A lighted candle banishes darkness: Is the candle as vast as the darkness?
A mountain is broken even by a thunderbolt: is the thunderbolt therefore as big as the mountain? No! He whose power prevails is really mighty. What is there in bulk?
Lesson 17: Chanakyaneeti, ethics of Chanakya. Where he heavily emphasizes being a “Student of Life". Therefore he mentions that the student (Brahmachari) should completely renounce the following 8 things. His Lust. Anger. Greed. Desire for sweets. Sense of decorating the body. Excessive curiosity. immoderate sleep. And excessive endeavor for bodily maintenance.
Lesson 18: He who is not shy in the acquisition
of wealth, grain, and knowledge, and in taking his meals, will be happy.
Lesson 19: We should always speak what would please the man of whom we expect a favor, like a hunter who sings sweetly when he desires
to shoot a deer.
Lesson 20: Sastric knowledge is unlimited, and the arts to be learned are many; the time we have is short, and our opportunities to learn
are beset with obstacles. Therefore, select for learning that which is most important, just as the Swan drinks only the milk in water.
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