The Social and Military Position of the Ruling Caste in Ancient India, as Represented by the Sanskrit Epic c2.s5.308

c2.s5.308

‡ vii. 38. 5 (*cakram*, also singular). *Niyantar* is usually *yantar*, controller. The *cakragoptārāu* seem to be guards over the wheels, not guardsmen (*cakrarakṣāu*). The knights are their own drivers in vii. 196. 13. The goad *pratoda*, held by the *sārathi*, is constantly falling from his hand: compare R. vi. 57. 24; 31. 40; and note that the goad and reins are both held in the left hand by an expert driver; and if this arm be wounded, he picks up goad and reins (with the other?), driving on as before. Compare viii. 27. 16 ff.; *sa nirbhidya bhujam savyam . . hemadaṇḍo jagāma dharaṇīm . . viddhasya . . pratodaḥ prāpatad dhastād raçmayaç ca . . pratodaṃ gṛhya so ’nyat tu raçmin api yathā purā vāhayāmāsa tān açvān . . .*