War in Ancient India c8.13

c8.13

Kāmandaka says that the king should consult wise and loyal men versed in military science and grown grey in experience. According to him¹⁰ the power of deliberation and ministerial advice is decidedly superior to that of mere brute force. He shows how Bṛhaspati by his wisdom overcame the Asuras. We know from the Purāṇas how Śukrācārya, the leader of the Asuras, undertook a severe penance to get at the knowledge of mṛtasañjīvanī vidyā or the mantra for restoring to life persons who had died in the field of battle, seeing the slaughter of numerous Asuras by the Devas. The penance over, Śukra returned to his residence but was not accepted by his followers. In the meantime Bṛhaspati put on the disguise of Śukrācārya and placing the Asuras under a spell of mystification made them accept him as the true Śukra, while the real Śukra was made out to be merely one in the disguise of their ācārya. In this way he overcame the Asuras.¹¹ Kāmandaka further enjoins that the king should consult his council of ministers whenever envoys were sent out to foreign States. The Harivaṃśa relates that Jarāsandha, contrary to his own plan, adopted the suggestion of the king of Cedi, a prominent member of the former’s military council.