War in Ancient India c4.s6.t4.3

c4.s6.t4.3

What he does not win by strength is not his own. Elsewhere the Epic rules thus:³¹ The highest duty and pleasure for a warrior is to die fighting in war. Why is this? It is because one’s death in a contest makes him live in heaven.³² Odd as it may seem, the ancient Hindu, to whatever caste he might belong, developed a peculiar mental attitude from his childhood that by doing his ordained duty he got his freedom from the bondage of saṃsāra (i.e. cycle of births and deaths), and enjoyed heavenly bliss as a guest of the gods. Influenced by such moral ideals, no wonder the ancient warriors of the land depended on their boldness³³ and strength.³⁴ To escape from the field of battle without fighting firmly and also to ask for quarter³⁵ were regarded heinous offences against both God and State. For is it not stated that to win victory or die in the field of battle is the eternal law promulgated by the Creator himself?³⁶ These sentiments which were largely supported by the then moral code made the Kurus’ chief proclaim at the top of his voice: ‘I elect glory even at the cost of life’.³⁷