War in Ancient India c11.t1.18

c11.t1.18

In this connexion it is interesting to read a section in the Kauṭalīya entitled ‘Yātavyavṛtti.’⁵² Here the discussion centres around the conduct of an assailable power. Here Kauṭalya gives a description of diplomatic struggles carried on between attacking and attackable powers, every one of them trying to get an advantage over the other.⁵³ In the concept of Vigrahaka, there is postponement of actual fighting even after war is declared.⁵⁴ A bargain is effected with little or even no profit, with an eye always to the future permanent gain. This diplomatic war generally came to an end by ceding soldiers, money, or an ally. It was realised that this method was more profitable than that obtained by regular wars.