War in Ancient India c5.s1.64

c5.s1.64

The warrior's code enjoined that, once challenged, the Kṣatriya must respond.⁵² If he did not, he was not doing his duty. It is said that having heard that he had been challenged to fight, a Kṣatriya laid down his crown and braided up his hair, an outward sign of hasty preparation for the fight.⁵³ He thus extricated himself from disgrace and from the sin arising out of the non-observance of duty. For the king must always be in a state of preparedness for war. It made no difference whether one expected to win or to be killed in the battle. For it was the eternal law proclaimed by the Creator.⁵⁴