War in Ancient India c13: Appendix I: Manuscripts
War in Ancient India c13
- Language
- English
Appendix I: Manuscripts
c13.2
*Daivajña Vilāsa* (Oriental Manuscripts Library, Madras).
c13.3
According to the colophon at the end of the book, this work consists of 108 ullāsas, 32,000 granthas, and the author is one Kancham Yellarya, son of Naraya and Vīramma. There is a section in this manuscript entitled Rājacaritra khaṇḍa, forming the 106th and 107th ullāsas. Like so many books which were written in medieval times, most of the portions are a compilation of opinions and texts from ancient and reputed authors like Vasiṣṭha, Bṛhaspati and Yājñavalkya. Ullāsa 106 is devoted to the different kinds of abhiṣeka or anointing ceremony of the king. In ullāsa 107 there is mention of a number of śastras and bāṇas, as also the sevenfold upāyas, like sāma, and dāna. It also contains a short notice of the characteristics of horses and elephants, and how to ride them. The rest of the ullāsa deals with the administration of justice. The author of this manuscript must have flourished in the 15th century A.D.
c13.4
*Hariharacaturangam* (Oriental Mss. Library, Madras).
c13.5
It is the work of Kuruvājapeyayāji Godāvaramiśra, the minister of Mahārājādhirāja Gajapati Pratāparudradeva. Thus the work belongs to the 15th century A.D. (or the early 16th). Its study is valuable in that it indicates the continuity of traditional methods and prescriptions, and in this connexion furnishes additional information from sources known to the author at the time of composition. This manuscript of the Hariharacaturanga is divided into eight books. The first four deal with the fourfold force in the order of elephants, chariots, horses and infantry. While those sections on elephants and horses occupy nearly 90 pages respectively, the information under the headings of chariots and infantry is meagre and occupies about four pages in the manuscript. The last four books deal respectively with dhanurvēda, rājanīti, dhanurvidyā and krīḍayuddha. (This last is a period of training or apprenticeship after the period of study is over). In the opening lines of Book V the author expresses his indebtedness to previous works on the Dhanurvēda and in this connexion mentions four works—the Auśanasa Saṁhitā, Viracintāmaṇi, Koḍaṇḍacaturbhujam and Sārasangraham, all of which are probably lost to-day. Towards the end of the sixth book, another work, called Jayacintāmaṇi is referred to. It is said to be a work bearing on astronomy and astrology, and the king is advised therein to set out on an expedition at an auspicious time.
c13.6
Vīramitrodaya Lakṣaṇaprakāśa is by Mitramiśra, son and grandson respectively of Paraśurāma Miśra and Haṁsapaṇḍita. It was composed at the instance of king Vīrasimha, the son of Madhukavasāha and the grandson of king Pratāparudra. (The Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series, Benares, 1916). It is a compilation of material from different literary works which were authoritative during the 16th century, when the author flourished. In dealing with weapons of war and the threefold forces of elephants, horses and infantry, it has drawn rich and valuable material from the following works, some of which are now not traceable, others have been printed, and some are still in manuscript. The MSS. referred to and still available are:—
1. Rājavijaya (Jammu and Kashmir Library).
2. Siddhāntaśekhara by Śrīpati.
3. Traiyambika Dhanurvēda (also named Iśāna saṃhitā), said to be available in Orissa.
4. Vīracintāmaṇi Dhanurvēda (noticed in Rājēndralal Mitra’s catalogue).
5. Parāśāra Saṃhitā, available in the Oriental Manuscripts Library, Madras.
6. Śālihotram (also named Aśvaśāstra), available in the Oriental Manuscripts Library, Madras.
7. Gaṇa Aśvāyurveda Do.
c13.7
The following are the manuscripts not traceable and probably lost:—
1. Auśanasa Dhanurvēda as narrated by Śukra to Jamadagni.
2. Kalhaṇa’s Aśvasārasamuccaya which refers to Śālihotram.
3. Bhōja’s Lohārṇava.
4. Khadga Kōśa.
5. Lōharatnākara.
6. Bṛhaspati Saṃhitā.
7. Hastihṛdayaprabandha.
8. Vaidyaka tantra.
c13.9
The following are published:—
1. Viṣṇusmṛti.
2. Varāhasamhitā (the same as Varāhamihira’s Bṛhatsaṃhitā).
3. Pālakāpya (printed as Hastyāyurveda), (Poona).
c13.10
4. Jayadēva (datta) Aśvāyurvēda (printed in 1886 —Asiatic Society of Bengal as Aśvavaidyaka.)
5. Nakula, Aśvaśāstra, Do.
6. Nakula, Aśvaśikṣita, Do.
7. Viṣṇudharmottara Purāṇa, (Bombay).