Chandragupta Maurya and His Times c18.10

c18.10

He came to the native village of Chandragupta and found him behaving like a king among his playmates upon whom he used to mount as his elephants and horses. Chāṇakya, to test his mettle as king, asked him for a present. The boy, in the royal manner, pointing to a herd of cows, said he could take them, without caring for their owners, as nobody would dare gainsay him. He also made the significant remark: "The earth is for enjoyment by heroes" (*vīrabhogyā vasundharā*). Chāṇakya at once chose him for his mission.