The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c10.363

v1.c10.363

**·Drawing of bows** : The manner of drawing the bow up to the ear, as in modern Europe, while standing with the body turned sideways, is pointed out in the extract from the *Ṛgveda* given above; and is confirmed by several passages in the *Rāmāyaṇa*, the *Mahābhārata* and other ancient works in which the merit of aiming with the arrow drawn in a line with the eye to the ear (*ākarṇasandhāna*) is highly extolled. In the Sāñcī sculptures, the same style is distinctly visible, and that this was the most perfect mode of using the bow, is evident from its adoption by some of the most civilized nations of antiquity, such as the Egyptians. The ancient Greeks, however, thought and acted differently. According to Homer, the bow should be held right in front, and the string drawn to the body, *neurin men macho pélasen* (D. 123), and hence it is that "the Amazonian women are reported to have cut off their right breast, lest it should be an impediment to its use".¹⁹⁰ In later times the Greeks adopted the Egyptian style, but never acquired much proficiency in it. Homer condemns it by the remark :—(*Il. O.* 711-12.)