War in Ancient India c6.14

c6.14

The Nītiprakāśikā mentions twelve kinds of arms under the mukta category. Among these the bow figures prominently and it still exists. It is four cubits in height, bent at three places and with a tusk-like opening.⁸ We are told that the bow-string should be taken by the right hand and bent by the left. The thumb should be placed on the arrow. Two strings are invariably used for a bow. The left-hand portion of the bowman must possess a defensive leather armour, and a quiver is to be hung from his neck. Fourteen different movements in the practice and use of this weapon are given.⁹ The word *astra* in the *Śukranīti* is interpreted by Dr. Oppert as a bow.¹⁰ But to interpret it as an arrow seems to be more correct.¹¹ The *Agnipurāṇa* furnishes details of a bow. The rod of a bow may be made of any of the three materials, steel, horn, or wood.¹² The strings may be made of the fibre of bamboo or other trees. The rod of a wooden bow was four cubits or six feet in length, and that of middling or inferior class measured a cubit less. Thick substances were wrapped round the grip so as to make the shaft of the bow steady and also easy. The bow made of steel must have a small grip, and its middle portion is said to resemble the eyebrow of a lady. It is usually made in parts, or together and inlaid with gold. The horns used in the making of bows are those of a buffalo, rhinoceros, or rohiṣa and of the mythical animal śarabha, while the wood is of sandal, sāla, cane, kukubha or dhabala. But the bamboo bow is the best of all. Arjuna’s Gāṇḍīva was perhaps of this material. While the bowstrings are of muñjā grass, arka plant, hemp, cavedu, bamboo and sinew, the rod of the bow may be of gold, silver or copper. Kauṭalya distinguishes four kinds of bows—Kārmuka made of palmyra, Kodaṇḍa of bamboo, Druna of darnwood and Dhanus of bone or horn. It may be noted in passing that the bow of Śrī Kṛṣṇa was of horn.