Hi Abhay,
Well said as ever! 👏
About Chanakya:
I have no problems if he keeps Ashoka close to himself and mentors him. It's the way he is doing this that bothers me. He may be a huge figure in the political scene of Magadh, but that still does not give him license to play with the lives of people around him without compunctions. True, he is doing this for the state but this is where the question of ethics comes in.
This is my Q: Is the State so overwhelmingly important that it can ride roughshod over the lives of its citizens and make them go against their wishes? Dharma has given Ashoka to Chanakya but RELUCTANTLY. He is using various devices to control her and Ashoka. All this is allowed as per political dharma (as we can see in Arthashastra also). But when raj dharma goes against manav dharma then which should be given preference?
Radhika, your Pink ques, Ans, First Many things, Count, Circumstances, +Person, Own personality, +Effeciencey, etc.
But if a state, is going to downfall, Or well wishers seeing, Someone sacrifice, Save state, so well wisher try to , Put feelings, Effecient person, State or Kingdom is big, comparision to their wishes.
Its duty well wishers, Poets, or writers, or many, if situation comes, or State life is danger,
then work should be done, or writings,should be this type, that, will encourge this type,reading or listining, person own, want to do, for state.
if we read, before indipendence, jansi, kee Rani, Subash chandra, or Bhagat singh, or many others, how encourged, peoples, they should paricipate, indipendence fight, maybee their wish or not, because ques was not their wish ques was, Everyone Freedom.
first they should try to encourge Inner feelings,then wishes, will feel, its our duty. so i think, State is Bigger then;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;our wishes.
Regarding Chanakya's feeling of guilt: Every person is born with a sense of guilt or conscience. Chanakya too would have one. He may not have expressed this in his books or even in his life to anyone, but that does NOT preclude the possibility that his conscience would prick him from time to time. It's another matter that he satisfies this conscience by believing in his own purpose in life, which is the protection of Magadh.
Its his (chanakya ) good quality, he knows, as a human which he is doing, maybee wrong, because, he is distancing Mother Son, it means senstivity alive in his Heart. But when he sees, Future of Magadh, then he takes practically decesion.Vishamitra, also took Ram luxman, with them, their early age, betterment for, Rishi's,Place, from Tadka,sometimes Mother not knows, how much inner strength, or estemena his kid has. but guru knows, or he shapes that.
About Dharma:
In Tuesday's episode (Feb 17, 2015) also, she tells God that she didn't want this destiny for her child and she was quite happy with him as they were before Chanakya entered their lives. Not exact words, but the sentiment is this.
Yes, Dharma or Everyperson,wants simple or peaceful life, or accepts, which god is giving, but which is coming, thats also choosing God, or if capcaity, sees by another, Then Tree sure will be made big. Internally Dharma also knows, Ashoka has big estemena, or chanakya is giving, him spreading, space. she knows, in this way, little but Ashoka will get what he deserves, her unconcious mind knows, but because, Mother feelings, so she afraids, what will be happen.
What is composure? In my personal experience, I appear outwardly composed in situations of extreme duress, even when I am breaking down internally. Because of the way I have been conditioned. I would say pretty much the same for Dharma. We have to look beyond her outer mask and peep into her heart and mind to see the struggle she is going thru every moment. Yesterday when she saw Ashoka blind and hurt badly by the demon and still couldn't acknowledge to him that she was indeed his mother, I can well imagine the pain she must have felt inside even though she looked "composed" outside. It is the tragedy of a woman universally that she often has to appear composed and "respect the need of the hour" and put her own feelings locked up.
Sometimes, we have to hold down our emotions, tough,
About Ashoka
He is a child and a happy-go-lucky child, which compounds his tragedy. Already he knows that even after paying the 50 pan and being freed by the king, he still can't go away with his mother. Till now, hope of freedom was there that kept him going despite the trying circumstances.
But now he is wising up to the dangers that abound in Pataliputra, as he tells his mother - "this place is not meant for us, it is full of plots and intrigue".
Actually, chanakya,is teaching, indirectely, or fillling in his mind, actual problem is where, or he knows Ashoka will use sure brain, or this way Ashoka energy will be concertate.About Gurukuls:
A gurukul is a place where children go to study. They are well looked after and are safe and secure. So parents are fine with sending their kids to gurukuls. Even now, we have boarding schools.
But Ashoka is not "studying books" or "even learning warfare etc". He was employed as a stable boy with barely decent working conditions and food. I think this is where we need to pause and reflect. Which mother can see her son being kicked about, cleaning stables, going hungry? Is this really similar to sending a child to a gurukul? Even if I were starving, I would still keep my child with myself rather than give him away to someone and see my child being employed as a servant somewhere.
When a child goes to a gurukul, his next few years are at least secure. But here Dharma has no security /certainty regarding the future of Ashoka with Chanakya. She has seen him being kidnapped by a demon. SHe has seen the dangers in Pataliputra. She is only relying on Chanakya's words that he is helping Ashoka realise his destiny, even though she has her doubts.
I would say she is paying a very heavy price to secure the future of Magadh.
When a child goes to a gurukul, he comes back home to his parents in the end. But here she has completely RELINQUISHED her motherhood rights over Ashoka and she has fears that Chanakya would never let her and her son get together again. How painful is that to a mother?
King Dashrath sent Ram as a child to a gurukul. The same king died of the anguish of separation when Ram went into exile. Did he think then that this was only to honor his word and Ram would be back in a few years?
This was my Q: Chanakya may have high and noble goals in mind but he is making a mother and son pay a heavy price - how is he going to recompense them for that? Or just because he is the be all, end all of the Mauryan empire, he can get away with it all and do just what he thinks is best? Is he NOT accountable to anyone?
Arjun
