War in Ancient India c11.t1.42

c11.t1.42

This policy is set forth thus: "The conquering king invokes the aid of his potential enemy. Having combined with a neighbouring king, the conqueror may march against another neighbouring king. Or, if he thinks that 'my enemy will neither capture my rear nor make an alliance with my assailable enemy against whom I am going to march: I shall have double the strength possessed by him, i.e., the enemy suing peace; (my ally) will not only facilitate the collection of my revenue and supplies and put down the internal enemies who are causing me immense trouble, but also punish wild tribes and their followers entrenched in their strongholds, reduce my assailable enemy to a precarious condition or compel him to accept the proffered peace, and having received as much profit as he desires, he will endeavour to reconcile other enemies to me'"; then the conqueror may proclaim war against one and make peace with another, and endeavour to get an army for money or money for the supply of an army from among his neighbouring kings.⁷¹ It is rather difficult to make out the exact recommendation in pursuance of the policy of *dvaidhībhāva*.