Also known as Kautilya. A brilliant person praised across the world for his sharp mind, but the details of whose life is still relatively unknown. He is believed to be a minister of Chandragupta Maurya and key to his becoming emperor. He is the author of the famous Arthashastra, believed to be written around 400 BC. He was also said to be known as Vishnugupta, Dramila, Angula. The Vishnupurana and Vayupurana also have mentions of Chandragupta and Chanakya.