The Social and Military Position of the Ruling Caste in Ancient India, as Represented by the Sanskrit Epic c2.s5.424

c2.s5.424

§ Rājendralāla Mitra remarks, Ind. Ar. i. 297, that dhanurdhara (bow-holder) is even to-day applied to one that knows how to achieve ‘success in other walks of life.’ This art being well learned indicated a perfect warrior. The bow is at all times the type: e. g. rāmaḥ . . çreṣṭhaḥ sarvadhanuṣmatām, R. v. 30. 5 (see below, on Dhanurveda). Bow, arrow, and breast-plate are the weapons and defense of the early period. Compare Āit. Br. 7. 19 (Weber, Ind. Stud. x. 30), athāi 'tāni kṣatrasyā 'yudhāni yad açvarathaḥ kavaca iṣudhanva.