Hindu Administrative Institutions c11.s6.1

c11.s6.1

A conquering king must bide his time in commencing expeditions against his enemy country. Whenever the enemy is in trouble, providential, epidemic-stricken, or when his army and treasury are on the decline, or again when he has been deserted by his friends, the conqueror (*vijigīṣu*) might begin his attack. The general season recommended for march is autumn or spring.² Kauṭalya remarks that the season alone is not sufficient; the really more important thing is the resources. When an invading monarch feels that in point of resources he is strong while the enemy is not in prosperous circumstances he could begin his march.³ This is in other words to act according to the *deśa* (country), *kāla* (time) and *śakti* (resources). A practical statesman must have an eye to all these three in launching out an expedition. Then Kauṭalya compares the relative effects of marching against the enemy on particular months and seasons of the year.⁴ The *Viṣṇudharmottara* prescribes prayer to gods seven days previous to the actual march. This is also seen in the *Agni Purāṇa* where details of worship for different deities are given. It is said that the results of the expedition would be foreshadowed in the dreams which the king was generally believed to dream on the eve of his march. There is then a clear definition of what the signs of good and bad dreams are.¹ On the sixth day it is ordained that the monarch should take a victory-bath (जयस्नानं). The detail of this ceremonial is given from the *Lingapurāṇa*. The belief was that by that function the conquering king was sure to return with flying colours, after completely vanquishing the enemy.²