Indian Antiquary Vol 39

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 100

94
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
When the time for the march of one's enemy's army has approached, one has to obstruct the enemy or send him far away, or make his movements fruitless, or, by false promise, cause him to delay the march, and then deceive him after the time for his march has passed away. One should ever be vigilant to increase one's own resources and frustrate the attempts of one's enemy to gain in strength.
Of these armies, that which is mentioned first is better than the one subsequently mentioned in the order of enumeration.
[MARCH, 1910.
Hereditary army is better than hired army in as much as the former has its existence dependent on that of its master, and is constantly drilled.
That kind of hired army which is ever near, ready to rise quickly, and obedient, is better than a corporation of soldiers.
That corporation of soldiers which is native, which has the same end in view (as the king), and which is actuated with similar feelings of rivalry, anger, and expectation of success and gain, is better than the army of a friend. Even that corporation of soldiers which is further removed in place and time is, in virtue of its having the same end in view better than the army of a friend.
The army of an enemy under the leadership of an Arya is better than the army of wild tribes. Both of them. (the army of an enemy and of wild tribes) are anxious for plunder. In the absence of plunder and under troubles, they prove as dangerous as a lurking snake.
My teacher says that of the armies composed of Brâlimans, Kshattriyas, Vaisyas, or Sûdras, that which is mentioned first is, on account of bravery, better to be enlisted than the one subsequently mentioned in the order of enumeration.
No, says Kantilya: the enemy may win over to himself the army of Brahmans by means of prostration. Hence the army of Kshattriyas trained in art of wielding weapons is better; or the army of Vaisiyas or Sûdras having great numerical strength (is better).
Hence one should recruit one's army, reflecting that "such is the army of my enemy; and this is my army to oppose it."
The army which possesses elephants, machines, Sakatagarbha (?), Kunta (a wooden rod), prasa, (a weapon, 24 inches long, with two handles), Kharvataka (?), bamboo sticks, and iron sticks is the army to oppose an army of elephants.
The same possessed of stones, clubs, armour, hooks, and spears in plenty is the army to oppose an army of chariots.
The same is the army to oppose cavalry.
Men, clad in armour, can oppose elephants. Horses can oppose men, clad in armour.
Men, clad in armour, chariots, men possessing defensive weapons, and infantry, can oppose an army consisting of all the four constituents (elephants, chariots, cavalry and infantry).
Thas considering the strength of the constituents of one's own quadripartite army, one should recruit men to it so as to oppose an enemy's army successfully60.
60 In bloka metre.