War in Ancient India c5.s5.45

c5.s5.45

*Lobhavijaya*: The other kind of war, lobhavijaya, was not considered to be as base as the asura form. In it the ravaging of the enemy’s territory, or poisoning of his army, was not contemplated. Nor was there to be a wholesale destruction of men and territory. The conqueror was imbued with greed. He was satisfied if he got gain in land or money. A weak power should satisfy such a conqueror with wealth or with the cession of part of his territory. Covetousness is the motive underlying this type of war. It came under the category of an unrighteous war, for covetousness is no virtue but a sin, out of which spring envy, jealousy, or hatred. It would lead indirectly to the wars of aggression, which are not recommended by the Niti Śāstras. So the *Mahābhārata* says: ‘Have your eyes on righteousness, casting off covetousness. You should not abandon your duty (svadharma) from lust or from desire of cattle.’¹⁵⁹ This lobhavijaya, just like the asuravijaya, is an offensive war, the motive being exploitation. ‘Envious of the welfare of other nations, jealous of their success, hating them because of their peace and liberty, their own evil splendour, these (kings and others) open out and declare war to satisfy their covetousness, to slake that idiotic thirst in which covetousness ends—the thirst of conquest for the sake of conquest. Such a war is the worst of sins: and the men, who begin it or carry it on, are, though all the world proclaim their glory, the vilest and meanest of sinners.’¹⁶⁰ These words would equally describe the Hindu view.