War in Ancient India c5.s3.16

c5.s3.16

but left his land untouched. In the next verse it is told that King Divodāsa took away even the sacrificial materials including the clarified butter and food of his subjugated foes. But this was not approved as it went against the prevailing religious feeling.¹¹⁹ According to Śukrācārya¹²⁰ the wealth seized in war should be presented to the king for examination and distribution. This wealth was clearly movable property. According to lawgivers like Viṣṇu and Manu, animals captured and a part of the treasure seized, generally went to the king.¹²¹ It is interesting to note the ruling of Bṛhaspati that one-sixth of the booty went to the king and the rest to his allies and soldiers.¹²² The dependants of those killed in war were given an allowance for subsistence. This was probably met from the State treasury.