A great thinker once said, “If I were to create something new, I would study all that is best and make my product even better.” About 2,300 years ago, Chanakya himself applied this law.
The very first verse of Kautilya’s Arthashastra says, “This single treatise (Kautilya’s Arthashastra) on the science of politics has been prepared mostly by bringing together the teachings of as many treatises on the science of politics as have been composed by ancient teachers for the acquisition and protection of the earth.”
Did you know that there were at least 14 other Arthashastras prior to the one written by Chanakya?
The masters of the past were not afraid to accept that innovation and creativity started by learning from others, and even gave credit where it was due, like in Chanakya’s case in the above verse.
But there are certain steps for doing this:
What do you want to achieve?
First, our destination has to be clear. Define this and half the battle is won. When Ratan Tata first announced that he will bring out a one lakh rupee car, it showed clarity of purpose. The rest followed. If you are a businessman, think about the product or service you want to offer. If you are an artist, what will you create? If you are a player, where and which medal do you want to win? Remember Gandhiji’s words: “Find a purpose, the means will follow.”
Dr Radhakrishnan Pillai is an Indian management thinker, author, and Founder of Atma Darshan and Chanakya Aanvikshiki. Dr Pillai has extensively researched Kautilya’s Arthashastra, the 3rd century BC treatise and incorporated it into modern management.
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