Death of Chanakya

Although his existence is disputed, Chanakya is a very popular personality of India. Thousands of books have been written on his life in various Indian languages. Also, many dramas, TV serials and few movies are dedicated to him. But no one of them talk about Chanakya's death, as the Chanakya discussed there is based on the literature about him available in Vedic tradition, which gives account of his political life only.

The biased writers rarely take any references about him available in Jain and Buddhist literature. In Jain literature, we can see detailed account of the life of Chanakya, from his birth to death. Here I am giving the Jain account on his death.

When Emperor Chandragupt Maurya became a naked Jain ascetic and went to South India with his teacher Bhadrabahu, Chanakya continued to serve the Mauryan empire as the Prime Minster of Bindusar, the son of Chandragupt. There was a junior minister Subadhu in the ministry, who was jealous about Chanakya, as he wanted to become Prime Minister. He created a hate against Chanakya in the mind of Bindusar by telling false things about the Prime Minister. Bindusar expelled Chanakya from the ministry.

Then, like Chandragupt, Chanakya too became a Jain monk and went to a jungle with other monks to meditate. The cruel Subandhu, who was now Prime Minister, set the jungle on fire and all the monks along with Chanakya were dead.

Subandhu, after knowing that Chanakya was dead, went to latter's house as he was informed that there were some secret documents in a box at Chanakya's house. When Subandhu opened the box, a poisonous gas came out of the box and spread in the room. Because of the gas, Subandhu died on the spot. Thus Chanakya took revenge even after his death.

-Mahavir Sanglikar