On 30 June 2025, during a casual exploration on social media, as I came across this interesting post – the DMK Youth Wing had posted a picture of Chanakya with the caption “#DidYouKnow? The ‘Arthashastra’ written by Chanakya states that those who criticize religious superstitions should be labeled as ‘atheists’ and ‘traitors’ and kept away from the public.”
The image said, “The ‘Arthashastra’ written by Chanakya states that ‘Kings should always keep the public stupid. For that, they should spread religious superstitions. Those who criticize this should be accused of being ‘atheists’ and ‘traitors’ and kept away from the public.”
I was prompted to see if Acharya Chanakya really had said such a thing.
As I had not come across such strong statements against atheism in any traditional text in Sanskrit, I dug into the Arthashastra again.
What Is Arthashastra?
Arthashastra is a comprehensive traditional text authored by Chanakya. It deals with the subject of the monarch, their assembly, the subjects, wealth, and governance of the kingdom. Chanakya clearly cites earlier authors or schools of thought making the Arthashastra an important example of the legacy of intellectual heritage of ancient India. The Arthashastra and its contents were referred to by later texts and developed in their own way.
What Does The Text Actually Say?
Chanakya starts the text first describing the subjects that a monarch must be well acquainted with as part of the eternal discipline a Monarch must have – Anvikshiki (logical philosophy, metaphysics), Trayi (the three Vedas), Varta (agriculture, cattle breeding and trade), and Dandaniti (science of government). He mentions the differences in opinions too. Check out this table to understand it better.
Anvikshiki, according to Chanakya, comprises the subjects of Sankhya, Yoga, and Lokayata. The Sankhya philosophical tradition forms the philosophical basis of which the Yoga philosophical tradition is the practical implementation. However, Lokayata is the Nastika or the Charvaka philosophical tradition. This Lokayata tradition looked at only those which could be perceived by the sense organs as real and anything else as unreal. Direct perception is given importance. It also does not consider imperceptible concepts like God or Devas and processes such as accumulation and fructification of Punyakarmaphala (result of meritorious action) and Papa (result of unmeritorious action) as valid. Oftentimes, this tradition is called Atheism in English.
The Monarch learns Dharma (righteousness) and Adharma (non-righteousness) from Trayi, Artha (wealth) and Anartha (non-wealth) from Varta, and Naya (good governance) and Apanaya (bad governance) from Dandaniti (science of government). Thus, Chanakya’s stance is that only after learning all these four can a Monarch learn both Dharma and Artha properly so as to properly govern the kingdom.
In fact, Chanakya is all in praise of Anvikshiki because it keeps the mind steady and firm and bestows excellence of foresight, speech, and action. This is why the chapter right after introducing the contents of the Arthashastra is partly called “Anvikshikisthapana” (establishment of Anvikshiki) and the first word of this chapter is Anvikshiki.
Amongst the dozen or so existing commentaries to the Arthashastra, let us take just two.
In the Vaidikasiddhantasamrakshini, one of the commentaries to the Arthashastra, Anvikshiki, also called Hetuvidya (the science of causation, i.e. logic), helps to understand reality as it is, includes the proper analysis of means of valid knowledge, and comprises Nyaya, Vaisheshika, and Lokayata philosophical traditions.
The Jayamangalakrodapatra, another commentary to the Arthashastra, says that Anvikshiki helps in understanding oneself and also the wisdom associated with cause and effect.
Now there is a question that arises about this subject of study that has been praised as a fundamental academic eligibility for a Monarch according to a key text on governance in Sanathana Dharma – Why is the association of Nastika/Charvaka/Atheism considered against Dharma or the society?
Perhaps it is our own ignorance about the Arthashastra and associated literature that has pushed us to this state of consuming secondary information to sow doubts and malice within our minds about our heritage! Perhaps Chanakya’s own name can be used to dissuade the ignorant people of his country from studying his work!
Abhinav Rajaputra is an Indology researcher, educator, and a traditional student practitioner of Yoga.
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