War in Ancient India c5.s1.3

c5.s1.3

It would be interesting to study the rules which restrained the warrior's whims and ennobled his character and conduct. In this study we have to distinguish between general rules and special rules, *sādhāraṇa dharma* and *svadharma*. With regard to general rules, it is incumbent on the Brahman to perform six duties: learning, instructing, sacrificing, causing sacrifices to be performed, making gifts, and receiving gifts.¹ Of these, three were common to the Kṣatriyas also: learning, sacrificing and making gifts. The Kṣatriyas were exempt from the other duties enjoined on the Brahmans, viz., instructing, causing sacrifices to be performed, and receiving gifts.² These three were considered the special duties of the Brahman community and intended to benefit society at large. By imparting instruction and by performing sacrifices, which services entitled him to receive gifts, the Brahman ministered to the education and religion of the people. The Kṣatriya was not expected to do these offices, which would considerably hamper his special *dharma* and create a breach in the established social order.