War in Ancient India c5.s3.8

c5.s3.8

An interesting question may be raised here. What was the service of the Brahman in a war so as to make him the recipient of such gifts? Let the ancient texts answer. A certain Gandharva in addressing Arjuna in the *Mahābhārata* on the importance of the Purohita to the king says that sheer prowess and pride of nobility cannot give one success. It is the guiding hand of the Brahmans that will keep a king ever victorious.¹¹⁵ In another place we are informed that mere strength of weapons and arms (*astrabāhubalam*) does not secure victory, but the power of tapas and mantras would alone lead to it (*tapomantra balam*).¹¹⁶ This is exactly what the Kauṭalīya rules namely *śastrabalam* combined with *śāstrabalam* leads to the success of the State.¹¹⁷ As the *śāstrabalam*, and *tapomantrabalam* were the possession of the Brahman, and as he was prohibited from earning his livelihood by taking to other professions, there is the justification for bestowing lavish gifts on the Brahmans who ministered to the religious and spiritual needs of the whole community. This dependence of each community on the other explains why there were few or no civil wars in ancient India.