"Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions - Why am I doing it, What the results might be and Will I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, go ahead." - Says Chanaktaya. Chanakya, an adviser and a prime minister and the architect of the rise of first Maurya Emperor Chandragupta to the power. the political treatise `Arthashastra` identifies its author by the names of Kautilya and Vishnugupta are also traditionally identified with Chanakya. His `Arthashastra` is a classic of statecraft. The world consideres him as the pioneer economist and the `Indian Machiavelli`. This erudite professor of Taxila University is widely regarded as the most responsible factor behind the first Indian Empire. According to the author B.N. Gundu Rao "Chankya is the personification of statesmanship, political craft, spirit of adventure and unyielding perseverance."

Chanakya, a magnificent persona, was full of determination in accomplishing any objective. This expert economist and a statesman par excellence was also well versed in all `Shastras` or branches of knowledge. Chanakya was very full-grown master in the four methods - of persuasion, enticement, sowing dissension, and punishment or war. For anybody it was hard to makeup what was going on his mind. He was so tightlipped in his method and far-sighted that in any venture, his calculations never went wrong in order to reach his aim.

At the same time, he was very religious person and strict renunciation. He could utilize various methods so carefully at the right time to destroy enemies, which could earn him apparently a harsh nature. There no branch of knowledge left in which he had not mastered. In other words, he was, a combination of all things that make a genius. Persons equal to Chanakya, considered in any way, are very rare in the world. Quite ideally therefore the expression like "the strategy of Chanakya" has become a proverb. The tactics by this memorable man destroyed the tyrannical Nanda kings. And put Chandragupta on the throne and brought into being the great Maurya dynasty of rules.

The identification of Chanakya is a big issue and there are many contradictions regarding that. In his capacity as author of the `Arthashastra`, is generally referred to as Kautilya but in general sense he is Chanakya. In the 3rd century BC, Vishnu Sarma`s `Panchatantra`is one of the earliest Sanskrit literature, which in an explicit manner identifies Chanakya with Vishnugupta. Thomas R. Trautmann has lists several elements as common to different forms of the legend named Chanakya.

There is a Jain version according to which Chanakya was born in the village of Golla district a Jain Brahmin couple. The life of Chanakya is full of controversy. Chanakya died around 283 BC and was cremated by Radhagupta, his grandson/disciple who came after Rakshasa Katyayan (great-grand son of Prabuddha Katyayan, who attained Nirvana during the same period as Gautam Budhha ) as Prime Minister of the Maurya Empire and was subservient in backing Ashoka to the throne.

The quality politics which Chanakya used to exercise can be regarded as the shrewd politics. Chanakya`s main philosophy was "A debt should be paid off till the last penny; An enemy should be destroyed without a trace". Subandhu, who used to hate Chanakya, behind a respect ceremony to Chankaya, unnoticed by anyone, slipped a burning charcoal and the man behind the Mauryan Empire and the author of Arthashastra was burned down to death following the main philosophy of his own. In an ironic manner, Subandhu followed his main philosophy and destroyed him without a trace.------------------------------------------------------------------

From many other versions the Chanakya lore can be found. One popular source among them is the 9th century AD Sanskrit play by Vishakhadatta, `Mudra Rakshasa`. `Sholiyar` or `Chozhiyar`, a group of south Indian Brahmins also claims Chanakya to be one of them. Chanakya`s life was attached to two cities, Pataliputra and Taxila. From his very early years he learned extensively the Vedas. Chanakya even memorized them completely at that age. Mathematics, geography and science along with religion were also learned by him. Later he went to and became a teacher of politics. At that time, Western India was experiencing the Political turmoil caused by Greek invasion that forced Chanakya to leave the University environment for the city of Pataliputra.

`Arthashastra`, `Nitishastra` and `Chanakya Niti` are the books attributed to Chanakya. Monetary and fiscal policies, welfare, international relations, and war strategies are discussed in detail in the `Arthashastra`. Under the book title `Chanakya Niti` many of his `nitis` or policies have been accumulated. In his `Nitishastra`, a treatise on the ideal way of life, shows Chanakya`s in depth study of the Indian way of life. In modern India, the diplomatic enclave in New Delhi is named Chanakyapuri in honour of Chanakya.