FReeper Canteen ~ Part I: War in Ancient India ~ July 13, 2004

A Tribute to Hinduism.com ^ | July 13, 2004 | LaDivaLoca

[LaDivaLoca]

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Part I: War in Ancient India

The history of ancient India is largely a history of Hindu culture and progress. Hindu culture  has a distinct claim to a higher antiquity than Assyrian schools would claim for Sargon I and as much or even higher antiquity than Egyptian scholars would claim for the commencement of the first dynasty of Kings. One aspect of this culture consists in India's political institutions which were almost modern. Modern warfare has developed on mechanical lines, giving less scope for the qualities of courage and individual leadership. The value and importance of the army were realized very early in the history of India, and this led to the maintenance of a permanent militia to put down dissent within and arrest aggression from without. This gave rise to the Ksatriya warrior caste, and the ksatram dharmam came to mean the primary duty of war. To serve the country by participating in war became the svadharma of this  warrior community. 

Hindu military science recognizes two kinds of warfare - the dharmayuddha and the kutayuddha. Dharmayuddha is war carried on the principles of dharma, meaning here the Ksatradharma or the law of Kings and Warriors. In other words, it was a just and righteous war which had the approval of society. On the other hand, kuttayuddha was unrighteous war. It was a crafty fight carried on in secret. The Hindu science of warfare values both niti and saurya i.e. ethical principles and valor. It was therefore realized that the waging of war without regard to moral standards degraded the institution into mere animal ferocity. A monarch desirous of dharma vijaya should conform to the code of ethics enjoined upon warriors. The principles regulating the two kinds of warfare are elaborately described in the Dharmasutras and Dharmasastras, the epics (Ramayana and Mahabharata), the Arthasastra treatises of Kautalya, Kamandaka, and Sukra. Hindu India possessed the classical fourfold force of chariots, elephants, horsemen, and infantry, collectively known as the Caturangabala. Students also know that the old game of chess also goes by the name of Caturanga. From the references to this game in the Rg Veda and the Atharva Veda and in the Buddhists and Jaina books, it must have been very popular in ancient India. The Persian term Chatrang and the Arabic Shatrang are forms of the Sanskrit Caturanga. 

According to Sir A. M. Eliot and Heinrich Brunnhofer (a German Indologist) and Gustav Oppert, all of whom have stated that ancient Hindus knew the use of gunpowder. Eliot tells us that the Arabs learnt the manufacture of gunpowder from India, and that before their Indian connection they had used arrows of naptha. It is also argued that though Persia possessed saltpetre in abundance, the original home of gunpowder was India. In the light of the above remarks we can trace the evolution of fire-arms in the ancient India. (source: German Indologists: Biograhpies of Scholars n Indian Studies writing in German - By Valentine Stache-Rosen. p.92). Terence Duke, author of The Boddhisattva Warriors: The Origin, Inner Philosophy, History and Symbolism of the Buddhist Martial Art Within India and China, martial arts went from India to China. Fighting without weapons was a specialty of the ancient Ksatreya warriors of India.

Introduction

The value and importance of the army were realized very early in the history of India, and this led in course of time to the maintenance of a permanent militia to put down dissensions. War or no war, the army was to be maintained, to meet any unexpected contingency. This gave rise to the Ksatriya or warrior caste, and the ksatram dharman came to mean the primary duty of war. To serve the country by participating in war became the svadharma or this warrior community. 

The necessary education, drill, and discipline to cultivate militarism were confined to the members of one community, the Ksatriyas. This prevented the militant attitude from spreading to other communities and kept the whole social structure unaffected by actual wars and war institutions. Says the Arthva Veda: "May we revel, living a hundred winters, rich in heroes." The whole country looked upon the members of the ksatriya community as defenders of their country and consequently did not grudge the high influence and power wielded by the Ksatriyas, who were assigned a social rank next in importance to the intellectual and spiritual needs of the society. The ancient Hindus were a sensitive people, and their heroes were instructed that they were defending the noble cause of God, Crown and Country. Viewed in this light, war departments were 'defense' departments and military expenditure were included in the cost of defense. In this, as in many cases, ancient India was ahead of modern ideas.

Chivalry, individual heroism, qualities of mercy and nobility of outlook even in the grimmest of struggles were not unknown to the soldiers of ancient India. Thus among the laws of war, we find that (1) a warrior (Khsatriya) in armor must not fight with one not so clad (2) one should fight only one enemy and cease fighting if the opponent is disabled, (3) aged men, women and children, the retreating, or one who held a straw in his lips as a sign of unconditional surrender should not be killed. It is of topical interest to note that one of the laws enjoins the army to leave the fruit and flower gardens, temples and other places of public worship unmolested.  

Next Tuesday, Part II of War in Ancient India

[Spotsy]

I need to move closer to your house. *giggle*

My snack consisted of Hershey miniatures and bread with Heinz 57 sauce. Shhh! Don't tell Tonkin.

[Spotsy]

Another great one Linda!
Oh how I love your work.

The Kerry/Edwards football toss routine is embarrassing.
They make me look ready for the NFL.

[Spotsy]

Are your friends still trying to get you to imbibe?
I'm not big on alcohol either - not when there is caffeine to be consumed!

A couple years ago, I tried quitting caffeine. It lasted a week. I was so mellow, everyone was worried about me. LOL!

[Spotsy]

Congratulations HiJinx!

I didn't e-mail my answers to MoJo because I figured that by the time I made it to the thread, Tomkow would have had everything wrapped up.

I'm ready for next Monday - going to get here early!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

HEINZ???

[Spotsy]

I know! I know! W only covers the ketchup.
What about the 57 steak sauce?

I wonder if Heinz products have suffered any setbacks.

[Spotsy]

Good Morning Veterans!
Good Morning Troops and families!
Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Thank you for working to keep us safe and free!
Thank you for bringing freedom to millions of people
in Afghanistan and Iraq!
Free people are our best allies.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Jelly rolls: West Coast sea nettles shimmer under a black light to the delight of kids visiting the Newport Aquarium in Newport, Ky.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Squeeze play: One of four new lemurs at the Buenos Aires Zoo munches an orange while its buddy keeps eyes peeled.

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Spotsy]

Sweet is Kitty Mittens. Very nice portrait of you FReeper angel.
Good Tuesday to you!

[Kathy in Alaska]

A PRAYER OF PROTECTION

The light of God surround you
The love of God enfold you
The power of God protect you
The presence of God watch over you
Wherever you are,God is,
And all is well.
Amen.

Bless This House

Bless this house O Lord we pray;
Make it safe by night and day;
Bless these walls so firm and stout,
Keeping want and trouble out:
Bless the roof and chimneys tall,
Let thy peace lie over all;
Bless this door, that it may prove
ever open to joy and love.


Bless these windows shining bright,
Letting in God's heav'nly light;
Bless the hearth a'blazing there,
with smoke ascending like a prayer;
Bless the folk who dwell within,
keep them pure and free from sin;
Bless us all that we may be
Fit O Lord to dwell with thee;
Bless us all that one day we
May dwell O Lord with thee.

(Click on praying hands above, or on banner at the top to hear the music)

[Spotsy]

Thank you for thread intro Diva!
Very good read.
Lots of interesting info to mine in the history of India.

Good Tuesday to you!

[Spotsy]

The lemurs scare me Ma.
I can imagine waking up and seeing one of those at the foot of the bed - glaring like that.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good night and sleep well, Sarge. Thanks for helping keep all of us safe. And thanks for helping honor our military, past and present.

[Spotsy]

See you later today Ma!

[Kathy in Alaska]

See ya later, Spotsybelle. Sleep tight,
and thanks for helping make the Canteen and fun place for our troops.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Ronnie, for stopping in with your link, and thanks for your service to America.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Hope, for today's Pledge. Any dirt today?

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Tuesday !

Have a cup while you Freep !

For those who prefer hot chocolate.....