Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 151

126
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SÜTRÁ
It
the letter with the edge of a lance as a signal of declaration of war.
"Cedagassa raņņo vāmeņa pāyeņam pāyavidhath akkamāhil kuntaggenam leham panāvehi."
The Nāyādhammakahão* also refers to the four expedients, viz, sāma, dāma, danda and bheda which were adopted by king Padibuddhi and his five fellow kings to obtain the hands of the daughter of king Kumbhāga by sending their respective envoys.
These four means of state-craft (conciliation, gift, dissension and war) and the diplomatic mission led by the ambassador and his duties are also referred to in the Manu-Smrti', the Arthaśāstra and the Mahābhārata" and discussed in great details.
It is now clear that the war was the last resort of the four means to settle the issue with a foreign state, but it must not be a surreptitious war. It should be an open fight between the contending parties for a righteous cause on the principle of selfdefence as clearly shown by the Bhs.
Siinilar views on ethics of war are also expressed by the Manu-Smyti?, the Mahabharatao and the Gitao respectively.
Manu says "A warrior should not kill enemy by secret weapons, etc. in the battle", etc. "Na kūțairāyudhaiḥ ........kiñcit-tat-sarvam pratipadyate"
(90-94). The Mahābhārata preaches the principle of war thus that it should be fought dispassionately and the destruction with religion is better but not the victory by the sinful act.
1 Nirayāvaliya Sutta 1, p. 23. See the Commentary on the
Mahasilakanţaka Sau grāma mentioned in the Bh8 7, 9, 300. ? Nayadhammakahão 8, p. 97 ff (dūta's duty); Vide Life in
Ancient India by Dr. J. C. Jain, p. 78. 3 Manu-Smrti VII. 108, 109, 200, 66. 4 Arthasāstra, 395, 382, 30. 5 Mahābhārata, Säntiparva, 12, 59, 35. 6 Bhs, 7, 9, 303.
7 Manu-Smiti VII, 90, 94. 8 Mahābhārata Sänţi parva, 12, 95 (1-20), p. 665, 12, 95 (17). 9 Gitā, 2, 38.