Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 401

376
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SŪTRA
[Ch. VI
It has already been mentioned in connection with the topic 'Hunting' in the second section of the fifth chapter on 'Economic Conditions' that the hunter earned his livelihood by killing deer in forests and other places.1
Art of War
The text presents a graphic account of the art of war, together with alliances, plans, stratagem, diplomacy, and new war-engines, while depicting a vivid picture of the two devastating wars, viz. Mahāśilākaṇṭaka Samṁgrāma and Rathamusala Sangrama.
It is learnt from the text that in these two long drawn contests, military alliances and total mobilization of all forces were made by both the states, Magadha and Vaisali, according to some war plans designed by very skilful military technical experts.*
It is stated in the Nirayavaliya Sutta3 that king Cetaka arrayed his army in the waggon-formation (sagaḍavuha), while king Kūņika-Ajātaśatru formed the eagle-array (garuḍaviha) of his army in the battle field.
References are also made in some other Jain texts' to cakka, danda and sucivüha as the names of battle array formed by the army.
As regards plans and designs of war, the Arthusastra" has discussed various battle-formations and tactics of fighting in great details.
The plan of protracted war and siege of enemy's fort was another feature of the military science of that period.
1 BhS, 1, 8, 67.
Nirayavaliya Sutta-1. p. 28,
See Arthasastra-pp. 403f. Manu VIII, 187f; MahabharataVI, 58; 75; Refer to 'The Art of War in Ancient India' p. 72ff.-Date. See 'Life in Ancient India,' p. 78. 49f.
Ovaiya Sutta-40, p. 186; Panha 3, p. 44.
Arthasastra 376, pp. 403ff. (Book X, Ch. VI).
4
2 Ib, 7, 9, 300.