Vrindavana Chandra Das: Based upon the teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada with extensive commentary by HG Patita Pavana Dasa Adhikari (ACBSP)
Dear Devotees,
We are pleased to inform that recenly we have printed a new edition of Sri Canakya-niti by HG Patita Pavana Prabhu (ACBSP).
About the book from backcover blurb:
“In modern times Canakya Pandita is considered the authority in good counsel and political and moral instruction.”
-
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.1.10, purport)
Though he was an impoverished brahmana scholar, Canakya Pandita created one of the largest empires in ancient times. In the same era that Buddha walked the earth, this indomitable sage united many disjointed kingdoms from modern day Bihar to Iran using only his wit as his weapon. He is celebrated as the greatest king maker in history. During the days of Britain’s East India Company, English officers were required to study Sri Canakya-niti if they hoped to be successful in India.
Now that same wisdom commented upon by the world’s greatest authority on Canakya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, is available for the first time in one volume. Canakya’s niti—his ancient sense for modern success—is presented with the original Sanskrit, Latin transliterations, lucid translations, plus the commentaries of Srila Prabhupada and much more. Practically every recorded statement that His Divine Grace ever made about the great Canakya can be found here in this definitive edition. For the modern reader, the wisdom of Canakya is nothing less than the key to a life that is in every way successful, happy and fulfilled.
An Excerpt from the Foreword by HH Bhakti Vikasa Swami:
Canakya was both an accomplished scholar and a practical man of this world. While offering realistic directions for navigating the complexities of life, he yet surpasses the sound advice offered in the many wisdom traditions of the world. Due to his being firmly grounded in Vedic culture, Canakya’s realism extends beyond the blip of our present temporary situation and points us toward our eternal spiritual existence, clear knowledge of which is the distinguishing feature of Vedic culture. Unlike his Artha-sastra, which is advice specifically meant for rulers, Canakya’s Niti-sastra is more suitable for those brahmanas like himself whose aim is to instruct the rulers of society. Thus Sri Canakya-niti is most appropriate for ISKCON brahmanas, for whom Śrīla Prabhupāda envisaged such a role.
Although Canakya was not a Vaisnava, his guidelines can be valuable for Vaisnavas, as ratified in their having been often quoted by no less a Vaisnava than His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. As a faithful disciple of Srila Prabhupada, Patita Pavana Dasa has given a distinctly Vaisnava perspective on Canakya’s teachings, and has also, as did Srila Prabhupada, upheld Canakya’s statements concerning Vedic cultural norms (for instance, those concerning the role of women as dutiful and subordinate wives), not withstanding their unpopularity in today’s purportedly egalitarian ethos. Patita Pavana Dasa has added to all this several of his own insights and perceptions, gleaned from his lifelong practice of Krsna consciousness, and the end result is a colorful compendium of behavioral advice, penned for ancient civilization and presented herein as relevant for the more thoughtful among modern humankind.
Included in the book:
-
Devanagari slokas with English transliteration
-
Vaisnava translations
-
Srila Prabhupada’s extensive comments on many of the verses
-
Commentaries that list the origin of many of the verses
Specifications:
-
Hardbound and paperback formats
-
454 pages
-
8 color plates
-
5.5×8.5 inch
For more details about the book and orders, please visit:
http://www.bvks.com/books/sri_canakya_niti
Aspiring to serve hari-guru-vaisanavas,
Vrindavana Chandra Das
nava nandan dvijah kascit prapannan uddharisyati
tesam abhave jagatim maurya bhoksyanti vai kalau
sa eva candraguptam vai dvijo rajye ’bhiseksyati
tat-suto varisaras tu tatas casokavardhanah
“A certain brahmana [Canakya] will betray the trust of King Nanda and his eight sons and will destroy their dynasty. In their absence the Mauryas will rule the world as the age of Kali continues. This brahmana will enthrone Candragupta, whose son will be named Varisara. The son of Varisara will be Asokavardhana.”
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 12.1.11–12)