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Death of Chanakya
The Story of Chanakya's Death
Although his existence is disputed, Chanakya is a very popular figure in India. Thousands of books have been written on his life in various Indian languages, as well as dramas, TV serials, and few movies. But the Chanakya discussed there is based on the literature about him available in Vedic tradition, which gives an account of his political life only, and not one of them talks about Chanakya's death.
Writers rarely make reference to the stories about him available in Jain and Buddhist literature. In Jain literature, we see detailed accounts of the life of Chanakya, from his birth to death.
Here, I offer the Jain account of his death.
The Jain Account of Chanakya's Death
When Emperor Chandragupta 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 under Bindusar, the son of Chandragupta.
There was a junior minister named Subadhu in the ministry who was jealous about Chanakya and wanted to become Prime Minister. Subadhu instilled hate for Chanakya in the mind of Bindusar by telling lies, and Bindusar then expelled Chanakya from the ministry.
Then, like Chandragupta, 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 killed Chanakya and all the monks with him.
After learning that Chanakya was dead, Subandhu was also informed that there were some secret documents in a box at Chanakya's house so Subandhu went there, opened the box, and released a poisonous gas that came out of the box and spread in the room. Subandhu died on the spot.
Thus, Chanakya took revenge even after his death.
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