FReeper Canteen ~ Part XII of War in Ancient India ~ September 28, 2004

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday...
Thank the Veterans who served in
The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom?
Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

ANCIENT WARFARE

Part XII: War in Ancient India

Not withstanding the elaborate rule of war laid down in the epics and the law-books, insisting in the main that to wage war was the duty and privilege of every true Ksatriya, in several cases the horrors of war made the belligerent think of the consequences and avoid outbreak of hostilities by a well calculated policy which we now term diplomacy.

King seeking counsel

Negotiation, persuasion and conciliation were cardinal points of the ancient Indian diplomatic system, and were effective instruments in averting many a war, which would otherwise have realized in much bloodshed and economic distress.

The political term for diplomacy is naya, and the opinion of Kautalya, the eminent politician of the 4th century B.C., a king who understands the true implications of diplomacy conquers the whole earth.

The history of diplomacy in ancient India commences with the Rig Veda Samhita, and the date of its composition may be taken as far back as the Chalcolithic period. In the battles the help of Agni is invoked to overcome enemies. He is to be the deceiver of foes. In pursuing his mission to a successful end, the use of spies is mentioned. This bears eloquent testimony to the system of espionage prevalent so early as the time of the Rig Veda Samhita. In the battle of the Ten Kings described in the seventh mandala, we find diplomacy of rulers getting supplemented by its association with priestly diplomacy, which exercised a healthy influence on the constitutional evolution.

International Relations - The picture presented in the epics and the Arthasastra literature seems to be confined to the four corners of Bharatkhanda. The intercourse as envisaged in the literature, shows relations to be more commerical than political in character.

Strabo quotes Megasthenes and says that Indians were not engaged in wars with foreigners outside India nor was their country invaded by foreign power except by Hercules and Dionsysius and lately by the Macedonians. There were friendly relations of Chandragupta with Seleukos Nikator, of Bindusara with Antiochus, of Asoka and Samadragupta with Lanka, of Pulaskesi with Persians, of Harsha with Nepal and China, of the Cholas with Sri Vijaya.

"It was always regarded as a legitimate object of the ambition of every king to aim at the position of Cakravartin or Sarvabhuuma (paramount sovereign or of supreme monarch)." This ambition was legitimate and had no narrow outlook about it. It was a fruit to be sought after by every one of the monarchs comprising the mandala. If the king is not actuated by this idea, he falls short of an ideal king according to the Hindu Rajadharma.

Diplomatic agents - ambassadors

Bhisma mentions seven qualifications as essential in an ambassador: he should come from a noble line, belong to a high family, be skilful, eloquent of speech, true in delivering the mission, and of excellent memory.

Espionage in War - Spies filled an important role in both the civil and military affairs of ancient India. The institution of spies had a greater utility, as the king could take action on the report of the spies. Spies were engaged to look after the home officials, including those of the royal household as well as to report on the doings in the enemy kingdoms. The Rig Veda Samhita, often speaks of spies (spasah) of Varuna. Only men of wisdom and purity were sent on this errand, thus suggesting that they should be persons above corruption and temptation of any sort. In the epics and post-epic literature in general, spies have been described as the 'eyes of the king'. In the Udyoga-parva (33, 34) of Mahabharata, it is stated that "cows see by smell, priests by knowledge, kings by spies, and others through eyes." Spies roamed about in foreign states under various disguises to collect reliable information. In the Ramayana, a king mentions the wise adage that "the enemy, whose secrets have been known through espionage, can be conquered without much effort." The Arthashastra, which predates Christ by centuries, dwells at length on the importance of espionage and the creation of an effective spy network.

Such details may indicate the high development of the science of diplomacy in ancient India. It was the famous Indian strategist of the fourth-century B.C, Kautilya in the Arthasastra, who gave the world the dictum:

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

"The same style of Indian thought" says Heinrich Zimmer in his book, Philosophies of India, p. 139, admiringly of Kautilya, "that invented the game of chess grasped with profound insight the rules of this larger game of power."

Attitude to war - The Sangam age of the Tamils was the heroic age of the Tamil Indians. If the men of the Tamil land were heroes, then their women were heroines. A certain mother was asked where her son was, and she replied, that she was sure that the tiger that had lain in her womb would be found in the field of battle. War was the pabulum on which our ancient warriors were great in name and fame. A certain lady who gave birth to only one son and who sent hime to the field of battle when there was the country's call for it. Okkurmasattiyar, a poetess, praises a certain lady dresses the hair of her only son and gives him the armor to get ready for action in the field of battle. This may be contrasted with another where a heroic mother heard the disquieting news that her son lost his courage in action and had fled in fear. If it were true, she expressed that she would cut off her breasts that had fed him with milk. With this determination she entered the battle-field with sword in her hand and went on searching for her fallen son. When she saw her son's body cut in twain, she felt much more happy than when she gave birth to him. (source: Puram 277 and 279 - in Tamil ).

Flags - The origin and use of flags can be traced to the earliest Indian literature, the Rig Veda Samhita. The term deaja occurs twice in the Veda. Besides, dhvaja, we meet with a good number of expressions for a banner in Vedic literature. These are Akra, Krtadhvaja, Ketu, Brhatketu, Sahasraketu. It appears that the Vedic host aimed their arrows at the banners of the enemy. The idea was that once the banner was captured, or struck, a claim was made for success in the battle over the enemy. Ketu was a small flag as contrasted with Brhatketu or the big flag. Sahasraketu may be a thousand flag, or as the knight who brought under control a thousand flags of enemies. We are told that banners and drums were counted among the insignia of ancient Vedic kings. In the Mahabharata war, every leader had his own insignia to distinguish one division from the other. Arjuna had the Kapidhvaja or the flag with the figure of Hanuman, Bhisma, Taladhvaja, cognizance of a palmyra tree etc..

Next Tuesday, Part XIII of War in Ancient India

tomkow6!!! #100!!!

G'nite. I'll see you "tomorrow." (Tell Ma when you see her that I got a WHOLE 158 words written, plus I did some "coloring" and some other important stuff.) ;)

101 posted on 09/28/2004 5:03:21 AM PDT by Fawnn (Canteen wOOhOO Consultant and CookingWithPam.com person - Faith makes things possible, not easy.)

To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; Old Sarge; kjfine; tomkow6; bentfeather; StarCMC; LaDivaLoca; ...

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD MORNING CANTEENERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A grey day in Bluegrass country. Looks might we might have a few remnants if Hurricane Jeanie floating around, but rain is all that is expected. So break out the uniform of the day Ski Boots, Bathing suits, and a light coat of oil!

102 posted on 09/28/2004 5:04:31 AM PDT by USVet6792Retired (John F'n Kerry couldn't lead ants to a picnic!)

To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; Radix; Kathy in Alaska; MoJo2001; LaDivaLoca; Fawnn; Bethbg79; ...

Good morning to everyone at the FR Canteen.
Lots of work after the weekend, so FR will not be a priority. BOO HOO HOO!

103 posted on 09/28/2004 5:11:36 AM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (skerry's plan for oil independence - turn heinz tomatoes into oil????)

104 posted on 09/28/2004 5:11:37 AM PDT by beachn4fun ("Being American means being free. That's why they're proud." Tony Blair 7/17/03)

To: The Mayor; ForGod'sSake

>>>>They are the creation of freeper ForGod'sSake........ I want one!<<<<<<<<<<<<

Morning Mayor. I want one too!

105 posted on 09/28/2004 5:12:52 AM PDT by beachn4fun ("Being American means being free. That's why they're proud." Tony Blair 7/17/03)

To: Arrowhead1952

Morning Arrowhead. I am going to have a Boo Hoo day too! Lots to keep me busy. Maybe tomorrow will be better??????/ Have a good one.

106 posted on 09/28/2004 5:14:24 AM PDT by beachn4fun ("Being American means being free. That's why they're proud." Tony Blair 7/17/03)

That is the only mug I have used in place of my Purple mug in 3 years.

107 posted on 09/28/2004 5:19:11 AM PDT by The Mayor (Right thinking leads to right living.)

To: LaDivaLoca; tomkow6; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; Kathy in Alaska; bentfeather; Bethbg79; StarCMC; ...

GOOD morning Everyone! Good morning/afternoon/evening to our

Military and our allies! Thank you again today! Kick A$$!

Thank you Diva for another contribution to a history lesson. Keep up the good work.

My goodness. Yesterday's thread generated over 900 posts! I never did get caught up. Did Bugs get the most votes?

Another busy day here in my part of the world. So, I'll be in and out today. I hope by Thursday things will be slowing down a little. I want to come play at Camp-Run-A-Muk on Friday!

Gonna run now and get in a few personals and greet a few visitors. Then, do a little (shhhh........whispering.........) work!

108 posted on 09/28/2004 5:28:25 AM PDT by beachn4fun ("Being American means being free. That's why they're proud." Tony Blair 7/17/03)

To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

"Dutch's Home!!"
(To be sung to Bruce Springsteen's "Thunder Road")

Effete Whore'd's damned...Reagan's hearse waits...
RATS' derision towards Nancy, the Right ignores...
As Sean Hannity raves!!
Liberator's fightin' fer "the lowly"...
Hey, I'm FReer 'cuz what Reagan showed me!!
Dutch's headin' home again...Right claims his grace...we're not alone!!
We gathered outside...Leftists, you know just what we're here for!!
RATS're scair't 'cuz they're thinkin'...our Nation ain't listenin' to FOOLS anymore!!
Show a little faith, there's passion on the Right!!
RATS're poltroonish...we'll win the Big Fight!!
Folks, FReedom's all Right to me!!

Left ain't Right...we'll recover...RATS' loss is our gain!!
Right's awestruck...cut Big Guv'ment...shed programs to the States!!
Wasteful Guv'ment is FReedom's Bane!!
Righteous saviors, conspire...help US FReep!!
Normal folks...not "heroes"...we fight fer Good!!
At each election, VOTE Fer FReedom, World!!
Liberty is always Good!!
It's our chance to fight RATS' Lust Fer Power!!
Dutch, what else can we do now?!!
We'll educate Dem Lib'rals...reject Left's spin...show that Right cares!!
'Cuz the Right's future's hopeful...this Nation rejects Left's feeble fears!!
We've got one more chance to seal the deal...
Let's make that City on a Hill!!
Right's on track...Heaven's callin' "Dutch" Reagan back!!
Oh oh...come join our stand!!
Fightin' fer what's Right...come hear our Righteous band!!
Oh oh...Dutch is home...folks, Dutch is Home!!Yeah, 'neath the Dome!!
Standing out here, gettin' scorched by the sun...
Still, we'll stand and wait...we love Reagan like his sons!!
Lord, Dutch is Home!! We're Right...we're Bold!!
Dutch is Home!!

Yes, Reagan was our star...he outsmarted Ol' Gorbachev!!
Got the Country on track...now Gip's ready to take that long walk...
To where folks, they live in Peace!!
The gates're open...say "Howdy" to Saint Pete!!
We know Nancy's lonely...her loving heart is broken!!
But tonite Ronnie's FRee...after Righteous words were spoken...
There are tears in our eyes...fer all the dreams he liberated!!
We'll honor Gip's memory 'til we're olde...by rededicatin' our lives to Reagan's aims!!

[We'll] revere his name each time when we FReep!!
Ron's Revolution's grown...fight DemRATS 'til we're FRee!!
'Cuz all Dem Leftist fools don't know Ron...
RATS fear the RightWing's soaring dawn...
'Cuz when we fight righteous wars, Left's gone!!
Fight RATS' spin...John Kerry can't win!!
DeeCeeTowne's full of LOSERS...but, fer the Gip, the RightWing Shall Win!!

Mudboy Slim (06/12/2004)

109 posted on 09/28/2004 5:29:47 AM PDT by Mudboy Slim (Girleymen HATE Bush!!)

Well that is certainly saying something then! Maybe we'll be lucky enough that some very talented FReeper will market that mug! They'd become fairly rich, I'm sure! I wish it were me! LOL.

110 posted on 09/28/2004 5:30:29 AM PDT by beachn4fun ("Being American means being free. That's why they're proud." Tony Blair 7/17/03)

(((MUD))) How are ya? How's the weather down your way?

111 posted on 09/28/2004 5:31:04 AM PDT by beachn4fun ("Being American means being free. That's why they're proud." Tony Blair 7/17/03)

112 posted on 09/28/2004 5:31:32 AM PDT by Darksheare (DU, proof that the body continues after brain death)

To: USVet6792Retired

113 posted on 09/28/2004 5:31:37 AM PDT by beachn4fun ("Being American means being free. That's why they're proud." Tony Blair 7/17/03)

Yes, I know!

I wish I knew someone that could do it..

114 posted on 09/28/2004 5:31:41 AM PDT by The Mayor (Right thinking leads to right living.)

I'm doing fine, my FRiend...weather's overcast and drizzlin' with heavier rains scheduled fer later in the day, I believe...it's been beautiful around here fer the last week or so, so I've got no complaints really.

FReegards...MUD

115 posted on 09/28/2004 5:33:01 AM PDT by Mudboy Slim (Girleymen HATE Bush!!)

This one is much sexier............

116 posted on 09/28/2004 5:33:24 AM PDT by beachn4fun ("Being American means being free. That's why they're proud." Tony Blair 7/17/03)

To: tomkow6; Old Sarge; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; Kathy in Alaska; MoJo2001; beachn4fun; Spotsy; ...

Good Morning Canteen, Good Morning Troops!

117 posted on 09/28/2004 5:34:36 AM PDT by laurenmarlowe

118 posted on 09/28/2004 5:35:16 AM PDT by laurenmarlowe

119 posted on 09/28/2004 5:35:41 AM PDT by laurenmarlowe

WAVING...........Hiya EG. HUGS. I can't believe I get to say Hi first. Are you sleeping at the computer? LOL

120 posted on 09/28/2004 5:36:23 AM PDT by beachn4fun ("Being American means being free. That's why they're proud." Tony Blair 7/17/03)

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794