There is no definitive historical record regarding Chanakya's death, but various legends exist, particularly in Jain literature. One such legend paints a tragic picture of his final days, which involves betrayal, a poisoned birth, and Chanakya's eventual demise.
The Legend of Chanakya's Death
According to the legend, Chanakya fasted to death in the forest. However, some accounts suggest that Chanakya did not die from starvation, but instead was murdered. The origins of this story are uncertain, but it is commonly narrated in this way:
Chanakya had a bitter enemy named Subandhu, who harbored resentment against him. Subandhu later went to Bindusara, the son of Chandragupta Maurya, and told him a shocking tale. He claimed that it was Chanakya who had killed Bindusara's mother. This revelation struck Bindusara like a thunderbolt. Subandhu's intention was clear—he wanted to sow discord between the Mauryan dynasty and Chanakya, and, as the story goes, to exact revenge.
The Poisoning of Chandragupta
The legend also says that Chanakya had a deeply cautious nature, always worried about the many enemies surrounding his protege, Chandragupta Maurya. Fearing that one day an enemy might poison the king, Chanakya secretly administered a tiny drop of poison in Chandragupta's food every day. His goal was to make Chandragupta's body immune to poison, thus preventing a fatal poisoning by external forces.
However, a tragic mistake occurred when Chanakya's well-meaning precautions led to the near-death of Chandragupta's wife. On one occasion, while the queen was pregnant, Chandragupta inadvertently fed her food mixed with the poison meant for him. The poison was potent enough to leave the queen bedridden and near death.
The Birth of Bindusara
Realizing the grave consequences of his actions, Chanakya acted swiftly to save the Mauryan empire. He decided to extract the child from the queen's womb before it was too late. The queen, unfortunately, died in the process, but her child—Bindusara—was born.
Bindusara's name is said to have been derived from his origin: born from the poisoned womb, he was called “Bindusara,” meaning "one born from poison." He grew up alongside Chanakya, but was unaware of the true story of his birth, a secret that would remain hidden for many years.
Subandhu's Betrayal and Chanakya's End
As Bindusara grew older, Subandhu's manipulations took root. Subandhu, seeking revenge for the queen's death, twisted the story and told Bindusara that Chanakya was responsible for the death of his mother. Furious, Bindusara sought vengeance against his guardian, not knowing the truth of what had transpired.
The news reached Chanakya, who, overwhelmed by guilt and the burden of his own decisions, chose to leave the court. He went into the forest to fast, hoping to atone for his mistakes and make peace with the higher powers. However, Subandhu, driven by his malice, took a more sinister turn.
Instead of letting Chanakya end his fast in peace, Subandhu betrayed him. The legend claims that Subandhu had a pyre prepared and threw Chanakya alive into it, effectively ending the great strategist's life in the most gruesome manner. Thus, Chanakya's tragic end became the stuff of legend—a tale of a man who, despite his brilliance and the empire he helped build, could not escape the consequences of his actions.