The Social and Military Position of the Ruling Caste in Ancient India, as Represented by the Sanskrit Epic c2.s5.5

c2.s5.5

Peace is the ultimate goal of a happy kingdom; but throughout the Epic peace is presupposed as an anomaly in life. Constant strife, with insidious citizens and with open foes, must always be carried on. ‘Through force and punishment is peace attained; no coward can do right; no coward does his duty. On the king depends all virtue; on virtue, heaven; on heaven, the gods; on gods, the rain; on rain, plants; on plants, men—that king who (by completing the causal nexus) is the creator of men is equal to ten learned priests. So says Manu’ (i. 41. 28 ff.). For this oft-given reason the king is enjoined to recover a lost kingdom, or defend a threatened one, in any way he can. The kingdom belongs to him by hereditary right (vaṅcabhojyam), and he must never despair (iii. 78. 9; v. 136. 1). We find of course a number of platitudes against vengeance: ‘The good think not of vengeance, but to do good to their enemies; the highest sort of men are patient’ (ii. 73. 6 ff.). But the Epic heroes are (as Duryodhana is described to be) ‘razor-hearted,’ and let even their friends, as Vidura sadly remarks, be punished in their wrathful folly (i. 128. 46; ii. 64. 12). Vengeance is the mainspring of the whole drama. If the king is unable to subdue his foes openly, he must be a hypocrite and pretend love till the time is ripe for vengeance. This is the essence of royal polity in ‘cases of distress’ (xii. 140. 9 ff.). ‘He must be suave and agreeable till he can crush his foe; he must pattern himself after the tricks of animals; like a cuckoo should he watch, like a boar should undermine, like a mountain be steadfast, and in all cases possess impassibility (anullaṅghanīyatvam), anxious to get good luck like an empty house; capable of many disguises like a player; now drawing himself in like a turtle, or being fierce as a wolf, swift as an arrow, etc., as occasion shall demand; trusting no one, but keeping himself informed by means of spies. No dry enmity, but fruitful hate, should be