Was Cāṇakya a Male Chauvinist?

Cāṇakya, a brilliant scholar of polity whose theories of administration remain unparalleled, has often faced criticism for his seemingly harsh statements about women. However, understanding these statements requires careful consideration of two critical factors:

1. Time and Circumstance

Cāṇakya was a mendicant brāhmaṇa and a master of political science who lived in 4th century BCE India, a turbulent era marked by foreign invasions threatening the stability of the Aryan kingdoms. Known for his expertise in economics, ethics, philosophy, and politics, he served as the chief administrator to Emperor Chandragupta (reign: 321–298 BCE), the founder of the Maurya Empire. As the emperor’s counselor, Cāṇakya was instrumental in overthrowing the Nanda dynasty and unifying the fragmented Indian subcontinent, ensuring the security and prosperity of its citizens.

In his role as a political strategist, Cāṇakya advised rulers to be cautious of spies, a common tool of statecraft in ancient times. Given that women, due to their natural influence over men, were often employed as spies, many of Cāṇakya’s cautionary verses reflect this political reality. His intention was not to disparage women but to remind kings of the vulnerabilities that could arise from their emotional and physical attraction to women, which could be exploited by rivals to destabilize their kingdoms.

2. Different Types of Women

Vedic literature does not present women as a homogeneous group. It recognizes different types of women based on their predominant qualities (guṇas) [1]. For instance, it describes:

• Sādhvī – Virtuous women inspired by sattva-guṇa (purity and virtue)

• Bhogyā – Women influenced by rajo-guṇa (passion and desire for enjoyment)

• Kulaṭā – Women predominantly influenced by tamo-guṇa (ignorance and moral instability), characterized by a tendency to shift between partners[2].

Failing to distinguish between these types leads to a misinterpretation of texts like the Cāṇakya-Nīti-Śāstra, where verses that specifically caution against kulaṭā women are mistakenly applied to all women. This broad misapplication creates unjust stereotypes and undermines the true intention of the text.

Mata Hari, a Dutch exotic dancer and courtesan who was convicted of being a spy for Germany during World War I.

Explaining Cāṇakya

By explaining Cāṇakya’s verses, taking into consideration the goal of this great visionary and expert on polity, we can become aware of his profound wisdom.

In Cāṇakya-Nīti-Śāstra, there is a description of a woman who embraces one man, looks at another, and thinks of still another[3]. Without context, this line might appear to denigrate all women. However, it specifically addresses the risk posed by kulaṭā women, whose manipulative behavior could compromise a king’s security and lead to political downfall.

The same principle applies to verses such as: “Untruthfulness, rashness, cleverness, stupidity, greed, impurity, and cruelty are a woman's seven natural flaws[4].” Again, this refers to women who are expert in utilizing men’s weakness, highlighting the political risks they pose, not the inherent nature of all women.

The same applies to verses such as, “Courtesy should be learned from princes, the art of conversation from scholars, lying should be learned from gamblers, and deceitful ways should be learned from women.”

“Fire, water, women, a fool, a snake, and the royal family - beware of all these. They can prove fatal[5].”

“Sagacious people never act upon a woman's advice, for women are the cause of all disputes. They are also responsible for instigating all felonious wars and sinful deeds. This is why saintly people refrain from even viewing the reflection of a woman.”

“It is ruinous to be too familiar with the king, fire, the guru, and a woman. To be altogether indifferent to them is to be deprived of the opportunity to benefit ourselves. Hence, our association with them must be from a safe distance[6].”

This verse clearly says that kings, fire, gurus, and women are valuable, but we need to be aware of their power as well. Besides their beneficial qualities, kings have the power to punish, fire can kill, gurus can curse, and women can destroy their intimate ones who have disclosed their secrets to them.

Cāṇakya’s Praise of Women

Despite these cautionary notes, Cāṇakya also praises the qualities of virtuous women, emphasizing their importance to family and society:

“Only an intelligent, virtuous, and endearing woman, who remains faithful to her husband, truly deserves his patronage. Such a wife is a godsend to any man.”

Here, Cāṇakya acknowledges the foundational role of such women in maintaining social stability and nurturing future generations.

A Hidden Message for Men

Moreover, Cāṇakya’s sharp critique of certain women serves a dual purpose: it indirectly reminds men of their own weaknesses and vulnerabilities. Men’s powerful attraction to women can be a source of distraction, and Cāṇakya’s verses often reflect this psychological reality, urging rulers to exercise self-control and discernment.

Understanding these layers of meaning helps reveal the true intent behind Cāṇakya’s words, preventing misinterpretations that have, over time, led to unfair criticisms of both his teachings and the broader Vedic tradition.

REFERENCES [1]Guṇas are the three constituent aspects of Prakr̥ti, or primordial nature: sattva (luminosity), rajas (dynamism), and tamas (inertia). [2]Brahma-vaivarta Purāṇa, Brahma Khaṇḍa, 23.21. [3]Cāṇakya-Nīti-Śāstra, 16.1. [4]Cāṇakya-Nīti-Darpaṇa, Ch. 2.1. [5]Cāṇakya-Nīti-Darpaṇa, 14.12. [6]Cāṇakya-Nīti-Darpaṇa14.11.