The Canakya‑nitisastra and the Tantri
By A. Venkatasubbiah
Summary
The Canakya-nitisastra and the Tantri (c. 1200 A.D.) are linked through shared verses attributed to Canakya. The Tantri, a Middle Javanese adaptation of the Panchatantra, cites 77 Sanskrit stanzas, though scholars debate their origins. Dr. Hooykaas identified 30 stanzas in the Tantri with corrupted versions found in Nitisastra collections like the Canakya-nitidarpana, Nitisara, and Vrddha-Canakya. Examples include Tantri 11 (on mental distress from disfigurement) and Tantri 42 (on dharma and karma), which align with Nitisastra texts. Discrepancies exist, such as Tantri 49’s emphasis on charity and Tantri 50’s praise for knowledge over wealth, reflecting ethical themes common in both traditions. The Tantri’s use of these verses suggests its author knew Canakya’s works or related Nitisastra literature. Scholarly comparisons, including Kressler’s index of 1,600 stanzas, highlight textual variations and corruption over time. Post-publication updates (1937) note unresolved readings, such as Tantri 45’s ambiguous reference to wisdom and virtue. This interplay underscores the fluid transmission of ethical wisdom across South and Southeast Asia.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that the Tantri Kamandaka, a 12th-century Javanese adaptation of the Panchatantra, contains verses directly attributable to the Canakya-niti tradition, despite textual corruption and scribal alterations. Through comparative analysis of seven key stanzas across multiple Nitisastra collections, the research identifies consistent textual variants and confirms the Tantri's reliance on a Canakyan source, likely transmitted through oral or regional textual traditions. Dr. Hooykaas's corrections further validate the original readings, bridging discrepancies between the Tantri and its Indian counterparts. The findings underscore the cross-cultural transmission of political wisdom, highlighting the Tantri's role in preserving and adapting Canakya's teachings within a Southeast Asian context, while also revealing the dynamic interplay between textual corruption and scholarly reconstruction in preserving ancient ethical literature.