Mystery of Chanakys's death

In ancient India, Acharya Chanakya was highly regarded as a great philosopher, thinker, and politician who extensively influenced economics and statecraft. In fact, the highly cherished Indian books on Economics, Arthasashtra, and Chanakya Neeti, were attributed to him. Chanakya lived from 275 BC to 350 BC.

He was often called Kautilya, which means "shrewd," or Vishnugupta because of his extraordinary talent for elevating great kings with his intellect. He received his education at Takshashila, the foremost educational institution of his time, and he was born into a high-caste Brahmin family.

Emperor Chandragupta appointed Chanakya as the Prime minister of the Mauryan kingdom. Chanakya, always vigilant to the movements of the emperor's enemies, remained by Chandragupta's side like a shadow, serving him as a true confidante.

Although Chanakya was a well-respected figure known for sharing life lessons, much about his own life remains mysterious. Scholars have made numerous attempts to uncover the true circumstances of his death, which still appear unresolved.

Possible explanations for Chanakya's death, as recorded in history, thus follows:-

Over time, the people of Pataliputra faced severe famine. Distressed and disillusioned by his inability to ease their suffering, Chandragupta chose to pass the kingdom to his son, Bindusara. Disenchanted, he left the country, converted to Jainism, and lived as a Monk.

Bindusara, who took on the kingdom's responsibilities, allowed Chanakya, his father's right-hand man, to remain as Prime Minister.

Chanakya continued to serve Bindusara and developed a close relationship with him. However, out of jealousy and the desire to become Prime Minister, another minister named Subandhu poisoned Bindusara's mind against Chanakya. He falsely accused Chanakya of being responsible for the death of Bindusara's mother. Under this mistaken belief, Bindusara severed all ties with Chanakya. Heartbroken by this betrayal, Chanakya chose to starve himself to death. Later, a nurse who had cared for Bindusara's mother, Durdha, revealed the truth about her death, which cleared Chanakya's name of the false accusations against him.

After learning the truth about the incident from the palace physicians, Bindusara decided to fast and sought forgiveness from Chanakya, pleading with him to return. However, Chanakya remained resolute in his decision and continued his own fast. Bindusara's frustration over the failure of his mission was directed at Subandhu. At the palace, Bindusara summoned Subandhu and ordered him to apologize to Chanakya and bring him back immediately. He warned that if this order was not fulfilled, Subandhu would be punished severely.

Subandhu, disapproving of Chanakya's return to court, decided to eliminate him by any means necessary. He convinced Bindusara that Chanakya had agreed to return and organize a grand reception to honor him. As preparations were underway to receive Chanakya, Subandhu stealthily approached Chanakya's hermitage (Parnashala) during his hunger strike. He threw a torch at the hermitage, setting the cow dung surrounding it on fire. Chanakya, who was meditating in the area, was unaware of the impending danger. Exhausted and weakened from his prolonged fasting, he was unable to escape the flames. Tragically, the great minister of the Maurya Empire was consumed by the fire.

Acharya Chanakya dedicated his life to demonstrating his strategic mastery. His calm demeanor led to the creation of the Chanakya Neeti Shastra, which significantly influenced historical patterns.