What do you think?
Rate this book
Chanakya in You
Adventures of a Modern KingmakerChanakya in You is the charming, lighthearted yet profound tale of a man inspired by his grandfather to seek the wisdom of the Arthashastra.Journey with a modernday disciple of Chanakya as he goes from being an aimless youth to the richest man in the world, inspiring a whole nation to take up study of Sanskrit and ancient Indian literature for business success.Interestingly, this book does not have a single character with a name. The story is about you and your journey through life. While you flip through the pages, you may well find yourself walking the hero's path to bring out the Chanakya inside you.The book can be read by a parent or a young adult, by a business tycoon or an academic scholar, with equal ease and interest. This is a book for the people; a book that makes you think. Don’t put it down until you discover the Chanakya in You!Radhakrishnan Pillai, has an MA in Sanskrit and is a certified explorer of the magic of Chanakya and the Arthashastra. After the runaway success of his first book Corporate Chanakya, followed by a second bestseller, Chanakya’s 7 Secrets of Leadership, Pillai brings Chanakya to life in his business fiction Chanakya in You. He can be reached at Twitter@rchanakyapillai and Facebook : /RadhakrishnanPillaiOfficial
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2015
1038 people are currently reading
1442 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
September 13, 2019
Left at 27%. Book was more of a biography.
Spirituality + Biography + Chankya-nism
Reason for DNF - Left as have limited time KU membership and I was to utilize best of KU in that short duration. If I had paperback would have finished it.
Spirituality + Biography + Chankya-nism
Reason for DNF - Left as have limited time KU membership and I was to utilize best of KU in that short duration. If I had paperback would have finished it.
September 13, 2015
Actual rating :- 2.5
My interest in Chanakya made me read this book in spite of bad reviews. It's not a bad book actually. But it has it's faults which may not be acceptable to most readers. It starts well with the introduction to Chanakya and Arthashashtra. But while doing that the book goes off track. It looks like an autobiography. A few Arthashastra shlokas have been inserted in the next few chapters. That doesn't make sense at all. You get confused whether this is a book on Chanakya or an autobiography or a fiction. Surprisingly, In the End note, The author says it's a mixture of all these.
Well.. The mixture doesn't work well. There are a couple of brilliant chapters in this book which made me give the current rating. This could have been a much much better book. I would have loved to make this my guide.
If you read it without expectations and look at it as a small dose of inspiration, Then it will suffice your expectations.
My interest in Chanakya made me read this book in spite of bad reviews. It's not a bad book actually. But it has it's faults which may not be acceptable to most readers. It starts well with the introduction to Chanakya and Arthashashtra. But while doing that the book goes off track. It looks like an autobiography. A few Arthashastra shlokas have been inserted in the next few chapters. That doesn't make sense at all. You get confused whether this is a book on Chanakya or an autobiography or a fiction. Surprisingly, In the End note, The author says it's a mixture of all these.
Well.. The mixture doesn't work well. There are a couple of brilliant chapters in this book which made me give the current rating. This could have been a much much better book. I would have loved to make this my guide.
If you read it without expectations and look at it as a small dose of inspiration, Then it will suffice your expectations.
June 13, 2015
Too much of positivity and success in the novel that it seems that growing from a common man to richest in the world is like a cake walk which kind of seems unrealistic.
December 24, 2020
A fictional book based on life of the author. The book may inspire one to read the work of Acharya Kautilya and also other works of Mr.Radhakrishnan Pillai.
Flow is good and sometimes reader may feel that Author says too much about his life rather Arthashastra.
This book proves that by study Shastras like Arthashastra, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Darshan (six type of philosophical texts), Natyashastra etc. that career can be built.
Flow is good and sometimes reader may feel that Author says too much about his life rather Arthashastra.
This book proves that by study Shastras like Arthashastra, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Darshan (six type of philosophical texts), Natyashastra etc. that career can be built.
August 9, 2017
Seems as a fantasy of a kid ... all rosy rosy .. no story of struggle anywhere .. Chanakya's name in the title acted as a bait .. very disappointed .. started it with a lot of excitement but eventually had to force myself to complete it . Don't know if I will pickup other books by the author 😕😕
May 19, 2025
Full review to come!
August 16, 2016
Author attains spiritual satisfaction or freedom of mind during the later chapters of the book, that is to say, when he had become sooo much rich. He could say he didn't care about money or is detached from love of money because he has had the 'security' of too much money behind his back. Because at the back of his mind, he already knew money would always be there whenever there is a problem in his life, so when he says he doesn't care about money and hence has attained spiritual high doesn't make any any sense. It only reinforces that to get spiritual satisfaction, you need to first become too rich so as not to worry about material things.
The real answer that I want to seek is that is it possible to attain that Moksha or Nirvana without making rest of your life 'secure' with a lot of money behind your back? Then, if anyone claims to have achieved Nirvana would carry much more weight!
The present book only reinforces - 'Make a lot of money before you say that money is not important'. My question is - 'Is reaching your material goals or securing your future a prerequisite for attaining a state of Moksha or Nirvana?' Searching for the answer since many years now!
The real answer that I want to seek is that is it possible to attain that Moksha or Nirvana without making rest of your life 'secure' with a lot of money behind your back? Then, if anyone claims to have achieved Nirvana would carry much more weight!
The present book only reinforces - 'Make a lot of money before you say that money is not important'. My question is - 'Is reaching your material goals or securing your future a prerequisite for attaining a state of Moksha or Nirvana?' Searching for the answer since many years now!
April 10, 2022
The book tells story of author's life in fictional style. It's a real quick read emphasizing on study of Indian Scriptures (Vedas, Upnishadas, Shastras, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagwad Gita etc.) and learning Indian ancient language Sanskrit in which these scriptures are written.
The author has often quoted Kautilya's Arthashastra and described in detail how wisdom of Arthashastra helped him to build his career, how it can be applied in any area of our life and how effectively it's relevant in morden age too. Very simple writing readable in single sitting.
The author has often quoted Kautilya's Arthashastra and described in detail how wisdom of Arthashastra helped him to build his career, how it can be applied in any area of our life and how effectively it's relevant in morden age too. Very simple writing readable in single sitting.
December 24, 2017
Did i like this book?? Of course YES..i do not usually give 5 star review to any book until and unless it has moved me.
I had an astounding experience with this book and i can say that i have gained a lot while reading this book. Will read it again not just once or twice but again and again just to get each and every word etched into my mind.
This book gives you a brief introduction about the life of the author while smartly sliding in the Chanakya's teaching into your brain in a very joyful and interesting way.
I had an astounding experience with this book and i can say that i have gained a lot while reading this book. Will read it again not just once or twice but again and again just to get each and every word etched into my mind.
This book gives you a brief introduction about the life of the author while smartly sliding in the Chanakya's teaching into your brain in a very joyful and interesting way.
July 27, 2023
It’s a good book (Dr. Radhakrishnan Pillai, you should’ve named this your autobiography but anyways).
September 2, 2022
Basically, it's a book about the journey of a common boy who somehow attained everything in his life.
Luckily, he got to do his 6 month guru-shishya style course of Arthashastra under the best professor. Then luckily he got approached by elite people only because he did that course. There was no other relevance of that throughout his life.
It's all a stupid fairy tale with Arthashastra's quotes inserted in between. There is no situation where the knowledge was actually used. There were no challenges - neither in business nor in family. All things just happened to him. His parents were again fairy tale ones. He got the woman he wanted. His kids were successful too (one topped IFS, other PhD in music).
I was expecting situations where he would have to face some moral dilemma and then he would reason about the decisions he took. In fact, it's even more than a fairy tale. I am not sure if there was a single instance when something happened that he didn't want.
Moreover, I am not sure what part of the conversation with his grandfather convinced him to take up the bold step of following Arthashastra, instead of the regular courses. There were no emotional up-downs at any step of his life.
At the end towards retirement, the author says that he is meditating and it was effortless. He had attained nirvana and all. All too sudden! So now he is not working for selfish goals anymore, his only aim is to serve the society. Now he understands that? What was he teaching others throughout his life?
Perhaps, this book is good for kids but don't expect anything useful out of it. It completely lacks depth and feels like it's written by a child.
Luckily, he got to do his 6 month guru-shishya style course of Arthashastra under the best professor. Then luckily he got approached by elite people only because he did that course. There was no other relevance of that throughout his life.
It's all a stupid fairy tale with Arthashastra's quotes inserted in between. There is no situation where the knowledge was actually used. There were no challenges - neither in business nor in family. All things just happened to him. His parents were again fairy tale ones. He got the woman he wanted. His kids were successful too (one topped IFS, other PhD in music).
I was expecting situations where he would have to face some moral dilemma and then he would reason about the decisions he took. In fact, it's even more than a fairy tale. I am not sure if there was a single instance when something happened that he didn't want.
Moreover, I am not sure what part of the conversation with his grandfather convinced him to take up the bold step of following Arthashastra, instead of the regular courses. There were no emotional up-downs at any step of his life.
At the end towards retirement, the author says that he is meditating and it was effortless. He had attained nirvana and all. All too sudden! So now he is not working for selfish goals anymore, his only aim is to serve the society. Now he understands that? What was he teaching others throughout his life?
Perhaps, this book is good for kids but don't expect anything useful out of it. It completely lacks depth and feels like it's written by a child.
April 2, 2021
An amazing book for who wants to start business and gives a feel of an business man while reading it!! The story is about an journey of learning and applying the suthras in the book of 'kautilya's Arthashastra' which was gifted by chanakya to us...
October 30, 2023
Its a good read. Lots of points for practical application in day to day life challenges.
August 11, 2022
A special book for me as it is the first book I read and finished on my new Kindle.
One of those books which you can easily finish in one sitting.
The book is a fascinating fictional account combining our rich tradition and our bright future as a country and civilization.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
One of those books which you can easily finish in one sitting.
The book is a fascinating fictional account combining our rich tradition and our bright future as a country and civilization.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
October 22, 2017
I was expecting to read more on Chanakya, but it was more kind of a biography, where the author shares the benefits he received for having learned Kautilya's Arthashastra. Kautilya is another name of Chanakya. He shared some quotes of Chanakya in some chapters. I was impressed by how the book is written. It was like the author is talking to me. There are many characters but he never shared details about them. E.g. Chairman, wife, Doctor, parents, children, teacher, etc...
This book speaks about his journey (not entirely his journey), at the end of the book, he acknowledges that some parts of the story are about his life, and others are from the people he knows. The Arthashastra made him the richest man in India,
A question that haunts every man is (What do you do?) is same as what do you do for a living? As soon a person finishes the studies, one starts looking for a job so that one can reply confidently when confronted with the question. In India, one's worth is measured based on our profession or possessions. I gained many insights. His writing is simple, practical and to the point. The book has 60 chapters of 4/5 pages each. It was a quick read. I recommend this book for freshers or those seeking some direction in life.
This book speaks about his journey (not entirely his journey), at the end of the book, he acknowledges that some parts of the story are about his life, and others are from the people he knows. The Arthashastra made him the richest man in India,
A question that haunts every man is (What do you do?) is same as what do you do for a living? As soon a person finishes the studies, one starts looking for a job so that one can reply confidently when confronted with the question. In India, one's worth is measured based on our profession or possessions. I gained many insights. His writing is simple, practical and to the point. The book has 60 chapters of 4/5 pages each. It was a quick read. I recommend this book for freshers or those seeking some direction in life.
January 26, 2021
A lot different from what I had expected. But still I was liking it until it reached a certain point. After that story started to go down. Everything was happening just like that. No real struggle was there, plus, everyone is writing bestseller. Absolute nonsense. Became unrealistic after that. Wasn't expected it from an experienced person like him.
I think it would have been lot better if the author had concentrated on the former parts and shared his learnings as well. His time in gurukul, self understanding and what his guruji actually taught him of specific sutras. It seemed like they were there just for the purspose of stating it. Also covering the remaining sutras one week ahead even after trailing at 4 month stage seemed impractical to me.
Title of this book is absolutely misleading. Also the brief of this book which is available on some sites. You will not learn anything like that. I feel he had made it more informative and guiding then it would have justified the title.
Good thing about it was that there were no names in it. Everyone was referred uniquely with different titles. I liked that thing. But overall I am not much impressed with this book. After that point which started the downward trend I just forced myself to finish it.
I think it would have been lot better if the author had concentrated on the former parts and shared his learnings as well. His time in gurukul, self understanding and what his guruji actually taught him of specific sutras. It seemed like they were there just for the purspose of stating it. Also covering the remaining sutras one week ahead even after trailing at 4 month stage seemed impractical to me.
Title of this book is absolutely misleading. Also the brief of this book which is available on some sites. You will not learn anything like that. I feel he had made it more informative and guiding then it would have justified the title.
Good thing about it was that there were no names in it. Everyone was referred uniquely with different titles. I liked that thing. But overall I am not much impressed with this book. After that point which started the downward trend I just forced myself to finish it.
September 26, 2017
"Chanakya in You" is a fictional story of a boy who first hears Chanakya's name through his grandfather and suddenly Chanakya's name interests him.Everday the boy asks his grandfather about Chanakya.In one such conversation with his grandfather, his grandfather tells him about Kautilya's Arthashashtra.Suddenly his interest in Chanakya grows stronger that he decides to study Kautilya's Arthashtra which contains 6000 sutras in a gurukul format where a student has to stay in a gurukul for a limited period of time and learn under the guidance of his Guru.And from this point, his life changes.
How he applies Arthashashtra's teachings throughout his life to achieve his material and spiritual goals, is what this story about.
I liked the book.There are so many takeaways in this book that you can apply in your life.Like, if you are a mother or a father then the following nugget from the book will be helpful for you.
Give your children values first then valuables.
Go ahead and read this book...
How he applies Arthashashtra's teachings throughout his life to achieve his material and spiritual goals, is what this story about.
I liked the book.There are so many takeaways in this book that you can apply in your life.Like, if you are a mother or a father then the following nugget from the book will be helpful for you.
Give your children values first then valuables.
Go ahead and read this book...
August 27, 2022
Started this book as it was listed in prime reading.
It’s not what I was looking for. This book is autobiography of author who talks about how Chanakya’s original book Kautilya's Arthashastra helped him throughout his life to become ‘Noble Businessman’. There are very few shlokas taken from the Arthashastra book. Few interesting parts are there but overall didn’t meet my expectations.
It’s not what I was looking for. This book is autobiography of author who talks about how Chanakya’s original book Kautilya's Arthashastra helped him throughout his life to become ‘Noble Businessman’. There are very few shlokas taken from the Arthashastra book. Few interesting parts are there but overall didn’t meet my expectations.
November 13, 2018
Chanakya In You .. The name Chanakya synonyms usually with Shrewd and Cunning. But after reading two books of this author about chanakya and his philosophies my impression on Chankaya is completely changed. Coming to the review of this book... Must Must Read. The storyline and simple narrative will ensure you to read the book in one go... It shows you how to dream and work towards achieving it. And with all the Arthashastra tips for modern world. It beautifully speaks how important it is to have a mentor in one's life. I can just go on and on with what I learnt from this book.. But I shall stop here and leave it to you to find your own Chanakya in you..
June 16, 2015
Not every country in the world is as rich as India when it comes the spiritual heritage, the history, the leaders, the warriors, the thinkers, the innovators, the philosophers, the culture that we have. Our history is worth the glory and deserves all the popularity it has today. Indian culture is being universally appreciated while we at home, especially the Y2K generation, have turned a deaf ear to it.
Please visit http://guptakaushal.blogspot.in/2015/... to read the complete review.
Please visit http://guptakaushal.blogspot.in/2015/... to read the complete review.
January 17, 2018
I found author very effective with use of easy English and small length chapter of 2-4 pages. The book is grasping at initial stages with Gurukul concept and all. However, it turns like happy happy Hindi movie where Hero does excellent everywhere without any hurdles and that too since he has great kundali. Author could have shown his struggle and how he overcame it by using Chanakya Arthashastra. Author has written it as his first attempt fiction novel. I look forward to read other books written by him.
April 15, 2018
The author is a big proponent of Chanakya, this is the second book i have read on this subject by him. his style of writing is effortless and keeps the reader gripped and engrossed till the end. This book was such a easy read on all aspects. I finished it in one go. No distractions, no boredom. I liked how the author has weaved a tale (some fiction some true) and interspersed it with wisdom from India rich cultural and spiritual heritage.
April 26, 2019
Every page brings so much of positive vibes. This was the first time I read this genre of motivational books and I loved every word of it. Though it is a fiction, I felt like reading an autobiography of a common man who achieved his goals by following the teachings in Indian literature by the great scholar of all time and the kingmaker CHANAKYA. And I must say that the book instilled my interest for reading ancient Indian literature, Arthashastra.
September 27, 2015
I have all three books of him. first being best, second being second best and this one did not inspire me. I have not read arthshastra but for sure like chanakyas niti. I was hoping it will help non academic and non Sanskrit readers to understand it well.how ever it turned out to be more of biography of author.
September 13, 2017
The book effectively brings out the chanakya in you. India is a country rich in culture and philosophy but sadly, we undermine the value our ancient scriptures hold. People from all over the world benefit from them and here we are,not realizing their worth. This book is an eye opener for every indian. MUST READ! We do need a serious reformation !
February 25, 2019
Inspirational book
Thank the author to introduce chankya and creation arthshastra to readers in simple and lucid way. People can take over arth shastra seriously to imbibe in life and pass on the teaching to peers and generation.
Thank the author to introduce chankya and creation arthshastra to readers in simple and lucid way. People can take over arth shastra seriously to imbibe in life and pass on the teaching to peers and generation.
June 20, 2015
Was hoping to have some more insight on chanakya niti but was disappointed with the over positivity shown in the book.
August 9, 2019
A fiction in a non-fiction! Truly inspiring in the Chanakya way. Pillai sir has nailed everything to the point.
July 17, 2016
It's a nice easy read but reinforces many Indian values and ethos as one progresses. I strongly believe that our present generation should go through the same.
January 10, 2017
Chanakya in you is a story of a boy from modest middle class family and his desire to study and implement the learning of Chanakya.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews