War in Ancient India c11.t1.48

c11.t1.48

The application of the six methods of foreign policy was through the four means of sāma, dāna, bheda, and daṇḍa, either severally or jointly. According to the Arthaśāstra and the epics these are the recognized traditional expedients, which are found only in germ in Vedic literature. The Purāṇa literature and later nīti works like the Kāmandakīya add three more to this fourfold classification.⁷⁴ These are upekṣa, māyā, and indrajāla. This shows unmistakably the slow but sure advance in the art of war and peace, for the influence of diplomacy is felt in both.