War in Ancient India c12.2

c12.2

The institution of ambassadors is not a peculiar feature of modern times. In the ancient diplomatic code of the Hindus it occupied an honoured place. Ambassadors in general occupied a very high and enviable position as befitting their status and function. From the earliest literary records which include the huge mass of Vedic literature, the dūta figures prominently. In the concept of the Vedic pantheon, Agni is the accredited messenger of the gods. He is the Devadūta, as happily rendered by Iḷanko Aṭikaḷ in his immortal work, the *Śilappadikāram*. Commencing with the *Ṛg Veda Saṃhitā*, it is noticed that the two diplomatic agents dūta and cāra were in existence.¹ In the *Taittirīya Saṃhitā*² there is the term prahita as distinct from dūta and meaning an envoy. On the authority of the celebrated commentator Sāyaṇa, the dūta is one skilled in getting correct information as to the strength and position of the enemy's forces.³ Prahita is explained as an envoy sent by his master.⁴ In that sense again the *Atharva Veda Saṃhitā* uses these terms.