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

[LaDivaLoca]

	~ MILITARY REQUESTS ~
	Helping our military!! If you are interested in helping our military, please FReepmail MoJo2001, Brad's Gramma, or Kathy In Alaska for more information. Below is a brief overview of the help that is needed. Thank you! Operation Semper Fi - Field Hospital in Iraq needs basic necessities and anything else you can think of. Operation Iraqi Children - An Active Duty FReeper, smaagee, has requested help for children ages 3-11 in Mosul. If you are interested in helping, please contact us. Make sure to put "Operation Iraqi Children" in the subject line. Operation Military Families - Many military family members have been affected by the deployments. As with many places in the United States, it has taken quite a toll on the population in general. In Indiana, "close" to 100,000 Active Duty and Reservists have left the State. Many of those family members left behind are having a hard time, if you are interested in helping then contact us. Donations For Our Troops - If you'd like to help send care packages without having to shop, we've found a reliable FRiend to help you. Please contact patriciaruth in FReepmail. She has been doing this for a long time and would be happy to have the help. Operation Convoys - Our military folks that are members of those Transportation companies need help with the basic necessities and items to hold them over until they return back to base. We've all heard about roadside bombings. Please help make their life a little easier. Operation Emails, FReepmail, and SNAIL MAIL - So? You don't have the time or money to send anything, how about an email or snail mail? You can even send a FReepmail. We would be happy to send it forward. WALTER REED & BETHESDA HOSPITALS - FReeper TruthNtegrity visits our Troops in the hospital as often as possible. She needs some help getting them pre-paid phone cards and something to pass the time by. (Such as games, magazines, etc..). If you are interested in helping, please FReepmail her. Thank you! Operation Care Packages - If you'd like to bring a smile to any of our brave heroes, send them a little something from home. It will go a long way to lifting their morale. It's a long road to killing all the terrorists. Don't let our brave heroes forget that we care about them. FReepmail us if you'd like to help.   Are you not sure what to send or do? CLICK TO VISIT THE CANTEEN POST OFFICE!! Thank you!

[LaDivaLoca]

Have a wonderful day!



Good evening, Goodnight, Good morning, Good afternoon, everyone!

[MoJo2001]

WooHoo!

Ancient India!!

Cool! I'm really looking forward to this. Thank you so much Diva for everything you do for the Canteen.

*HUGS*

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Click on the pic and I'll guide you
to the start of today's thread



FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT
Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.
CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREAD.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

For...


.."WE WERE SOLDIERS ONCE and YOUNG"

http://www.lzxray.com/guyer_collection.htm

.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thanks for today's thread!

Hope all is well with you!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

FYI : Look in upper right corner of "My Comments" page.
Set it for "Brief" instead of Full.
You only will get title of thread and who pinged you.
No graphics will load.

[Soaring Feather]

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

From the men in the Military and the Canteen

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Please help if you can.
Sporting Goods drive
for our troops and Iraqi Kids

Cash Donations can be sent to:
Jeffrey Burgess Recreational Fund
Plymouth Savings Bank
36 MAIN STREET
BOX 3506
Plymouth, MA 02361
Phone: 508-746-3300

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT!
Sept 11th - The National March Against Terror!
FR SPONSORED!

[Soaring Feather]

Mr Tonkin, can this be Barney?? Oh I love that little dog.

Thank You Military men and Canteen men for the lovely flowers each and every day in the Canteen.

[Soaring Feather]

Hi LaDiva!

How are you?? Thank You for this lovely thread.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Yep! Barney walked over from today's Dose!

[HopeandGlory]

Good morning Troops, Veterans and Canteeners . . . God bless this wonderful place . . . .
. . . and all who enter herein.

[Kitty Mittens]

Lol! I LOVE that sweet little Barney!

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

040710-N-6551H-092 Pacific Ocean (July 10, 2004) - The High Speed Vessel (HSV) 2 Swift prepares to conduct a replenishment at sea (RAS) with the mine warfare ship USS Avenger (MCM 1) during exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2004. Swift is a wave-piercing aluminum-hulled catamaran that can move at speeds greater than 45 knots. With a draft allowing it to navigate in only 12 feet of water it can easily maneuver in and out of littoral environments. RIMPAC is the largest international maritime exercise in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands. This year’s exercise includes seven participating nations; Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom and United States. RIMPAC is intended to enhance the tactical proficiency of participating units in a wide array of combined operations at sea, while enhancing stability in the Pacific Rim region. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Michelle R. Hammond (RELEASED) For more information go to: http://www.cpf.navy.mil/RIMPAC2004/

040707-N-1512S-131 Arabian Gulf (July 7, 2004) – The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) transfers personnel and equipment ashore, during Landing Cushion Air Craft (LCAC) operations off the coast of Kuwait. Kearsarge is surge deployed to transport elements of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Central Command Area of Responsibility in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and the Global War on Terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Airman Kenny Swartout (RELEASED)

040710-N-6213R-002 Pacific Ocean (July 10, 2004) - USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) launches the first of two RIM-7 Nato Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles during a training exercise in the Hawaiian operating area. During the exercise, the missile intercepted a remote controlled test drone. Stennis and ships from the South Korean Navy participated in the missile firing exercise conducted to test the ships defensive capability. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) are taking part in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2004, during her scheduled deployment supporting the Navy's new fleet response plan (FRP) Summer Pulse 2004. RIMPAC is the largest international maritime exercise in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands. This year’s exercise includes seven participating nations; Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom and United States. RIMPAC is intended to enhance the tactical proficiency of participating units in a wide array of combined operations at sea, while enhancing stability in the Pacific Rim region. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Mark J. Rebilas (RELEASED) For more information go to: http://www.cpf.navy.mil/RIMPAC2004/

[MoJo2001]

CONGRATULATIONS!

THE WINNER TO MONDAY MAYHEM IS.....


HIJINX!



He correctly answered all the questions!

A few things:

Thank you to everyone that played!
Um, tomkow and Bethy are just Canteen relatives. Not real relatives.

StarCMC and kjfine are actually brother and sister. (I'll have to call their Ma to make sure. LOL)

Queenie and bentfeather are the same person. (Don't ask tomkow about that. He'll tell you a "story" that just won't be true. Hehe!) And for the smarty pants that wanted to know what country she's Queen of. Well, wouldn't you like to know? WE AREN'T SHARING! Hehe!

Auntie Fawnn actually created the opening graphic. Not MoJo's driving instructor. (MoJo doesn't need one of those lame things anyways. Hehe!)

HiJinx is Piper's Poppa...not tomkow's. (This one had me rolling for awhile.)

Glock Rocks created the GROCKS system. Avenger System by NormsRevenge isn't truly a system. Unless Mojo missed it somewhere. Just made up to help you find the answer quickly.

The Canteener that has 2 grandchildren with one named Jacob is beachn4fun. Auntie Fawnn has a million (well 3 for now! Hehe!), but none are currently named Jacob.

VALIN is the Canteen History Dude. (Well, he has a more proper name, but MoJo is writing this. What do you expect?)

Also, MoJo would like to thank everyone that wished her Dad a Happy Birthday. (This is totally not meant to be here, but she's too lazy to formally do it. Sheesh!)

So? Watch out for another Monday Mayhem near you!

Ya never know when we come up with something stranger than usual!

Congratulations HiJinx!
MoJo has your address already. So? No need to write it to her. Hehe!


 

 

 

 

 

[StarCMC]

WOO-HOO JINXIE!! Good job!!!

Of course that question about who was Piper's poppa was easy one fro you, eh? LOL!!!

[StarCMC]

DIVA!! Hugs!! Great new topic!!