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On Cycles and Renewal

नाशः सर्वस्य जायते ।

Nāśaḥ sarvasya jāyate.

All things move toward dissolution.

Context

Chanakya observed cycles at the level of empires: rise, consolidation, overreach, and renewal. He did not view decline as failure but as the natural precondition for what comes next. The Arthashastra's final counsel is to build institutions that survive individual rulers — including oneself.

Ask yourself

As a year closes, what is it time to let dissolve — a goal that has served its purpose, a habit that no longer fits who you are, a version of yourself you've outgrown? Letting something end cleanly is how the next chapter begins with integrity.

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