THE ESSENCE OF LEADERSHIP EXPLORED FROM MUDRA RAKSHASAM - A SANSKRIT PLAY Part II

 

The Plot of the Play:

The play is organized into seven Acts.  In Act I, we are introduced to the rationale of Chanakya’s scheme to bring over Rakshasa as the prime minister to ChandraGupta.  We are introduced to his extra-ordinary spy network.  One of the spies informs Chanakya that, purely by accident, he has got a ring bearing the seal of Rakshasa on it.  Chanakya, at once, realizes the damage this ring can do to Rakshasa-it canenable letters to be written with the seal of Rakshasa on them-and promptly dictates such a letter (which he gets written by a close confident of Rakshasa without the latter realizing it was composed by Chanakya).  The letter is worded in a vague language, hinting at the possible betrayel of MalayaKetu, the king who hopes to topple ChandraGupta, and with whom Rakshasa has sought refuge.  We learn that Rakshasa’s family had, until recently, been harboured  by one ChandanaDasa, the chief of the Jewellers’ Guild.  Chanakya summons ChandanaDasa, and wants to know the present whereabouts of Rakshasa’s family, but ChandanaDasa does not know anything.  However, he makes it clear that he is very loyal to Rakshasa, and would not part with this information, even if he did have it.  Chanakya orders the imprisonment of ChandanaDasa and his family, and confiscation of his property.  Chanakya calculates that Rakshasa will surrender himself if ChandanaDasa were to be threatened with execution for his help Rakshasa.  Chanakya also stages a mock execution of two of his spies, who are, in fact, allowed to escape to Rakshasa, so that they can be seen as taking refuge with Rakshasa.

In Act II, we get some insights into Rakshasa’s character.  We are told stories of different schemes plotted by Rakshasasto eliminate ChandraGupta, but each time, foiled by Chanakya.  We see that Rakshasa, while clever, is no match to Chanakya, when it comes to intigues.  Rakshasa’s qualities are highlighted vividly.  He is not a clever leader, but, perhaps, he is a good administrator; loyal, trusting, too trusting, in fact, and often clumsy in execution of intricate schemes.

Act III presents a clash, concocted by Chanakya, between him and chandraGupta, to mislead Rakshasa.

In act IV, we see some elements of Chanakya’s plan taking shape. Spies of Chanakya goad MalaKetu into believing about possibility of Rakshasa joining forces with ChandraGupta, after the ‘split’ with Chanakya.  MalayaKetu emerges from hiding, and with Rakshasa, they decide to attack Pataliputra.

Act V gives the details of the way the scheme, devised by Chanakya, develops.  Two spies, within MalayaKetu’s hearing, say that, his father was assassinated not by Chanakya, as MalayaKetu believes, but by Rakshasa.  This increases MalayKetu’s suspicions about Rakshasa’s loyalties.  At this moment, the letter that was written by Chanakya and sealed with Rakshasa’s seal is intercepted from a spy.  Reading the letter, vaguely worded, gives enough indication to MalayaKetu that, Rakshasa, along with some of the kings at present with MalayaKetu, is about to double-cross and move over to ChandraGupta.  The fact that it has Rakshasa’s seal on it proves its authenticity, and it does not help Rakshasa when the handwriting (unwittingly written) is seen to be that of one of his close confidants.  Now MalayaKetu loses all confidence in Rakshasa, and he is disgraced.

Act VI shows a fake execution stage managed by Chanakya.  We learn that the particular kings that were supposed to have crossed over to ChandraGupta were put to death by MalayaKetu.  The rest of the kings have revolted and made MalayaKetu their prisoner.  Rakshasa is told that his friend ChandanaDasa, who had sheltered Rakshasa’s family, was to be executed.  Rakshasa decides to give himself up to save his friend’s life.

The last Act VII shows the final surrender of Rakshasa, when ChandanaDasa is about to be executed.  Chanakya agrees to release ChandanaDasa, provided that Rakshasa accepts the sword of the office of prime minister of Magadha.  Chanakya explains to Rakshasa why he had to devise such a complex scheme to get over Rakshasa to his side, and why indeed Rakshasa is indispensable to ChandraGupta.  He knows that the kingdom is safe in Rakshasa’s capable hands-for once he declares his loyalty, and accepts the sword of office publicly, his loyalty is assured-and Chanakya retires to his ashram, back to his teaching.  According to history, Chanakya never again took any interest in the affairs of the state, but wrote a masterpiece on the economics and politics of ruling a state, called Arthasastram.