Public Administration in Ancient India c19.31

c19.31

“ Let us swear to conquer and never to desert one another. Let those who are overcome with fear stay behind. Let those also stay behind who would cause their chiefs to be slain by themselves neglecting to act heroically in battle. Let only such men come who would never turn back from battle, or cause their comrades to be slain. . . . The consequences of fleeing away from battle are loss of wealth, infamy and reproach. . . . Those that flee from battle are wretches among men. They only swell the number of human beings on earth, but, for true manhood, they are neither here nor hereafter. Victorious foes proceed cheerfully in pursuit of retreating combatants, while their praises are sung by bards. When enemies coming to battle tarnish the fame of a person, the misery which he feels is more poignant than the pangs of death. Know that victory is the root of religious merit and of every kind of happiness. . . . Resolved upon acquiring heaven, we should fight, regardless of life or death ; and with this determination to conquer or die, attain a blessed end in heaven.” 1