Redefining Power Dynamics

The world celebrates Chanakya and his intellectual opinions put forth through his different writings. He was the power behind the power of the mighty. The world hankers for power and leadership and the true knowledge behind power can make people comprehend Power Management and leadership.
In this book ‘CHANAKYA’S FUNDAMENTALS OF POWER’ by Sanjay Chauhan the author has put his efforts to assemble some of Chanakya’s work into twelve chapters pertaining to power management and the development of personal leadership in two languages.
The work originates from two books written by Chanakya in Sanskrit, Arthashastra, and Nitishastra.
Chanakya’s Fundamentals of power’ is a bilingual book wherein the author has elucidated the shlokas in Hindi and English.
The author clearly mentions in the introductory pages that he has endeavoured to provide straightforward descriptions of some of Chanakya’s writings in English and Hindi so that the common people can benefit from his ingenious philosophies.
Fifteen books, 150 chapters, 180 themes, and 6000 Sanskrit shlokas make up the Arthashastra. Each of the 17 chapters in the Nitishastra has 15 or more quotes, originally written in Sanskrit, on topics such as life, friendship, duty, nature, life partners, children, money, business, and other issues that are crucial to human existence. Arthashastra is mainly written from an administrative point of view, keeping the king in mind, and Niti Shastra mainly emphasizes the various principles of life and society.
The book begins with the four main goals of human existence -Dharma (religion), Artha (wealth), Kama (worldly pleasure), Moksha (salvation)
Chanakya specifies in his book’s concluding part, ‘The root of the livelihood of man is riches,’ wealth has historically been one of the most significant critical aspects of the pathways to power. The author asserts Chanakya’s fundamentals of power so that people can understand the different dynamics of power and manage deftly with leadership skills.
From domestic politics to parliamentary politics, from gorilla politics among monkeys in the wild to the contest for global leadership, the fundamentals of power remain unchanged.
Be it a household, a company, a political party, or a state, effective economic policies, the upkeep of law and order, and an adequate centralised administrative apparatus are prerequisite for the smooth operation of the show.
The author also cocks a snook on the caste system prevalent in India. He opines that castes should not have been divided based on birth, but rather on actions.
Invaders can well relate to the author’s view when he mentions,
“India spent a considerable amount of time as a slave nation. It is extremely regrettable that the system was unable to be altered even after independence.”
Dr Sanjay explicates what Chanakya stated, ‘A prince can only become king if he is eligible; otherwise, he cannot.’
The author’s tone sounds firm and strong when he says,
“In a similar vein, do not transfer your business to your son or daughter if they are not capable of handling it.
The author has used very succinct and simple language so that every reader can
grasp it.
As a whole, the book is highly instructive carrying the intelligent viewpoints of Chanakya, further made an easy-read by the author.

Prof Shiv Sethi is an internationally acclaimed columnist and literary critic based at Ferozepur, Punjab.