One of the greatest figures of wisdom and knowledge in the Indian
history is Chanakya. Chanakya is regarded as a great thinker and
diplomat in India who is traditionally identified as Kautilya or Vishnu
Gupta. Originally a Professor of economics and political Science at the
ancient Takshashila University, Chanakya managed the first Maurya
emperor Chandragupta's rise to power at a young age. Instead of
acquiring the seat of kingdom for himself, he crowned Chandragupta
Maurya as the emperor and served as his chief advisor.
Chanakya Neeti in Malayalam is a treatise on the ideal way of life, and
shows Chanakya's deep study of the Indian way of life. These practical
and powerful strategies provide a path to live an orderly and planned
life. If these strategies are followed in any sphere of life, victory is
certain. Chanakya also developed Neeti-Sutras (aphorisms - pithy
sentences) that tell people how they should behave. Chanakya used these
sutras to groom Chandragupta and other selected disciples in the art of
ruling a kingdom. But these sutras are also relevant in this modern age
and are very useful for us.