War in Ancient India c12.14

c12.14

*Agnipurāṇa*,³ uses the very words of Kauṭalya in describing the three classes of envoys. These are said to be some general rules communicated to Lakṣmaṇa by Rāma. According to the latter, diplomacy is better than the expedient of war. This could be effected by special envoys sent for the purpose, while in the enemy’s kingdom the ambassador must speak highly of his king as well as of his enemy and thus ascertain the true force of public opinion in the land. An ambassador is thus but an open spy. He can assume the role of a merchant, a physician, or some other person to get at the truth. A king must take up arms if his embassy should prove unsuccessful, as Yudhiṣṭhira did after Kṛṣṇa’s embassy.