War in Ancient India c5.s5.32

c5.s5.32

Though Śukra would recommend its use to subdue the enemy who resorted to questionable methods and who therefore waged an unjust war,¹⁵⁰ he definitely says later on that in realising his ideal in that manner, the conqueror places disgrace in front and honour at the back.¹⁵¹ In other words, such a king incurs disgrace in this world and sinks into hell. According to the Rāmāyaṇa, the Rākṣasa indulged in kūṭayuddha and it was not commendable to honourable men.¹⁵² The Agni Purāṇa allows weaker powers to resort to wily and underhand methods,¹⁵³ when they found they had no other alternative than to engage in war.