War in Ancient India c7.s5.5

c7.s5.5

In the Udyoga parva of the Mahābhārata there is a different enumeration of the army units. Mention is made of senā, pṛtanā and vāhinī. Senā is a unit constituting 500 chariots, 500 elephants, 1,500 horses, and 2,500 foot-men. Ten senās constituted a pṛtanā and ten pṛtanās one vāhinī.¹³⁸ The Mahābhārata recounts that the two armies of the Pāṇḍavas and Kauravas on the field of Kurukṣetra consisted of eighteen Akṣauhiṇīs of which eleven belonged to the Kauravas and only seven to the Pāṇḍavas.¹³⁹ In another place it is said that a patti totalled 250 men. Thrice in number to this was *senāmukha*, and thrice this number constituted *gulma*. Three *gulmas* made up a *gaṇa*.¹⁴⁰ If we consider dispassionately the numerical strength of the various forces in the epics, the figures given strike us as highly incredible. The arbitrary reckoning of the different units by the multiples of three is so mechanical that it is on the face of it unacceptable. In order to increase the magnitude of the war, the poet has enumerated exaggerated figures. It must be admitted, however, that there was a system, a method and a plan in the organisation of the ancient Hindus, and to this extent they deserve commendation.¹⁴¹