The Social and Military Position of the Ruling Caste in Ancient India, as Represented by the Sanskrit Epic c2.s5.552

c2.s5.552

The spear was grasped with both hands, and flung at the opposing war-car. We see in the car-use that, as I said of the arrow, the epithet dīpta, glowing, may be used without implying fire; that the knight ‘discharged the glowing war-car-spear’ can only be taken poetically. In the following, we see the special use of the çakti, or chariot-spear. The knights in the war-cars ‘flung the chariot-spear.’ ‘He seized the spear, the mighty, with gilded staff, but made of iron—and this spear of great power he flung, hurling it forth with both his arms.’ ‘He, standing in the war-car, seized the chariot-spear of golden shaft, of sharp point, spotless—hurling it aloft he flung it— and it entered the heart of the foe.’** The spear, like other weapons, for smoothness’ sake was oiled.†† In distinction from the weapons that killed many, the çakti is termed ‘slayer of one;’ for, once used, it was lost.‡‡