War in Ancient India c12.92

c12.92

3. They helped in sowing seeds of dissension. Spies in different disguises, particularly as astrologers and sooth-sayers, gave publicity to their king’s association with gods and his miraculous powers. They must further convert the people of the enemy by speaking highly of their king’s righteous rule and parental care towards every one of his subjects. They bribed otherwise unconvinced persons by supply of money and grain, and created a split between the enemy king and his subjects.⁵⁸ 4. They were again employed to sow dissension among a corporation of petty kings and warriors. Spies found out, by access to these, the jealousy, hatred, and other misunderstanding existing between them, and planned dissensions saying, ‘This chief desired you.’⁵⁹