Book Review: Chanakya in You by Radhakrishnan Pillai

 

Book review: Chanakya in You by Radhakrishnan Pillai

*Publisher: Jaico Publishing House *ISBN: 978-81-8495-660-3 *No of Pages: 240 *Cover: Paperback *Language: English *Genre: Self help/Business *Price: 299 *Rating: 3/5

My View:

We Indian’s never going to forget Chanakya for the contribution he has done in the field of Arthashashtra and we still remember him for his various tactics to survive at the time of difficulty. He was the mentor for the King Chandragupta Maurya at the time of Maurya dynasty.

Now about this book, the starting was excellent but after some 40-50 pages it started getting low, the book totally diverted in different direction and I think book was too much stretched while introducing Arthashashtra. According to author there are more than 6000 sutras in Arthashashtra then also author has not provided the meaning and not explored more than 10-15 sutras in this book, only I found repetition of Aanvikshiki. In entire book the protagonist’s fame and richness is exaggerated beyond certain level. The book doesn’t provide any solution or any Arthashashtra rules if you are facing any difficult situation at home/work/business or in relationship. 

But there are also many positive side of this book like after reading this book I came to know that the game CHESS was invented by Chanakya, there were many books on Arthashastra before Chanakya. Arthashashtra is not only for King but for each and every human on earth can use it on day to day life.

Now, the writing style of author is easy to read there are no difficult jargons, flow of the book was good initially but lacks after some pages. And if you are looking for a rich material on Chanakya than I didn’t recommend this book, but if you are new to the world of Chanakya and want to know anything about him then this book will give you a glimpse in the life of Chanakya and on Arthashashtra. It’s an average book what I expected from Radhakrishnan Pillai.

Some of the interesting lines from the book:

Wars are not fought in the battlefield, but in the minds of the generals. Page no 17

Don’t play games for the sake of playing. Think while you play a game.  The one, who keeps learning, keeps improving and winning becomes natural for him. Page no 18

Analysis, analysis and only analysis leads to paralysis. Page no 90

Your children are not your children, they are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself, they come through you but not from you, and though they are with you, yet they belong not to you. Page no 218

Blurb:

Chanakya in you is the charming, lighthearted yet profound tale of a man inspired by his grandfather to seek the wisdom of the Arthashastra.

Journey with a modern day disciple of chanakya as he goes from being an aimless youth to the richest man in the world, inspiring a whole nation to take up study of Sanskrit and ancient Indian literature for business success.

Interestingly, this book does not have a single character with a name. the story is about you and your journey through life. While you flip through the pages, you may well find yourself walking the hero’s path to bring out the Chanakya inside you.

The book can be read by a parent or a young adult, by a business tycoon or an academic scholar, with equal ease and interest. This is a book for the people; a book that makes you think.

Don’t put it down until you discover the Chanakya in you!