Indian Antiquary Vol 03

SR No.: 032495
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 420
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 263

SEPTEMBER, 1874.) ANCIENT INDIAN IDEAS REGARDING GOVERNMENT, &c.
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soldiers, are like Vaisyas. The king, when and probably acted upon, at the time when these his treasury is empty, should levy taxes from lines were composed. + the persons above described, except from those In the portion of the Mahúbharata from which who are like Brahma and the gods (i.e. from I have been quoting, humanity to enemies is those first of all named). The Vedic doctrine is repeatedly enjoined. Thus in vv. 3487 ff. it that the king is master of the property of those is said: "He who when he has captured in who are not Brâhmans, and of those Brahmans battle a hostile king who has acted fairly (or has who pursue occupations not proper to their formerly been kind), under the influence of hatred caste. Persons of the latter description are does not treat him with respect, fails in his daty not to be overlooked, but to be controlled and as a Kshatriya. When a king is powerful, watched, with a view to the promotion of let him be courteous, and compassionate when righteousness. The king in whose country a (another has fallen) into misfortune. Thus will Brâhman becomes a thief is regarded by those he be dear to men, and not forfeit his proswho understand such matters as being himself perity. Let him act the more kindly to him in fault. The man learned in the Vedas and a to whom he has done an unfriendly act (in householder who from the want of means of conquering him]. That man will soon be an subsistence becomes a thief is to be supported object of affection who, though an enemy, does by the king : 60 say those who know the Veda. friendly acts." The following rules of warIf when so supported he does not desist (from fare are partly the same as are found in the his evil practices), he is to be banished from the seventh chapter of Manu, vv. 90 ff.; as indeed country, with his relations."
much of the substance of the prolix maxims Yudhishthira afterwards asks (vv. 2950 ff.) of the Rajadharia of the Mahabharata is whether, when the Kshatriya race has be- to be found in a condensed form in that come mixed, and fails to afford protection from chaptert: robbers, a Brahman, a Kshatriya, or a Sûdra 3541. "AKshatriya who is not clad in may come forward to perform the duty required, armour is not to be fought in battle. A single or whether they are to be prevented. Bhishma warrior is to be fought by a single warrior, so replies that any man who, in the absence of that a man who is unfit (for fighting) may be any other appliance, acts as a ship to convey let go. If the foe cores equipped, his adverthose who are in need of one to their desired sary must also equip himself: if he comes with havon, who delivers men from those by whom an army, he must be challenged with an army. they are harassed, and affords them peace and If he fight unfairly, he must be repelled without security, be he a Sûdra, or any one else, regard to fairness. If he fight rightly, he is deserves honour. What, it is asked (v. 2958), | to be encountered in the same way. A man on is the use of a bullock which can carry no load (?), horseback is not to attack one in a chariot ; but of a cow which is not milked, or of a king who one in a chariot should assail an enemy in a affords no protection ? Such a king, as well as chariot. A poisoned or barbed arrow is not an unlearned Brâhman, and a cloud which to be used: these are weapons of the wicked. drops no rain, is like a wooden elephant or a The warrior must fight righteously, and not be leathern deer. Such a king, therefore, is to be incensed against the adversary who seeks to appointed as shall defend the good and repress kill him. A foe who is breathless, or childless, the bad. It appears from this that the idea of is never to be struck ; nor one whose weapon is a Sûdra king had already been entertained, broken, or who is worn out, or whose bowstring
• They are not, it will be observed, said to be like Ksha- lines of Manu viii. 17 and iv. 238-242; but Manu is not triyas, whose functions they invade; but are put a step referred to by the Mahabharata writer as his source; in fact lower down.
Brihaspati is introduced as pronouncing the verses. Whe. + In the Ramayana Nish Ada king is mentioned ther in these several cases the writers in the Mald.bharata (see Orig. Sanskrit Terts, II. 407) as a friend of Rama: but have borrowed from Manu, or the compilers of both booka it may be supposed that he was intended to be understood have derived the passages which are common to them from se ruling over a tribe of Nishidas only.
some source prior to both, I am unable to decide, as I have 1 In another part of the Rajdharma, 2009 ff. (compare not studied either of the works with sufficient care to be v. 2938 f.) reference is made to two lines as from Manu, able to pronounce which is the most probable supposition. one of which I find is given verbatim, viz. adbhyo 'gnir Magu's sastra is also referred to in the Anusasa nap. brahmatal kshatram, &c. (Manu, ix. 321.) Three lines v. 2534. below, two verses are quoted as from Ušanas. In the According to the reading in the Bombay edition, this Anu lasanaparban (vy. 5408 ff.) some verses occur which must be translated : "One warrior must be addressed by are identical in teror, though not in diction, with the sublime another, 'do thou discharge (thy weapon) and I shoot.'"