The Social and Military Position of the Ruling Caste in Ancient India, as Represented by the Sanskrit Epic c2.s5.587

c2.s5.587

The pseudo-Epic groups several foreign excellencies in warlike matters under one head, and enjoins that each allied nation shall use its own arms. ‘Let each man fight according to his native usage. The Gāndhārāḥ and Sindhu-sāuvīrāḥ use claw-knives and darts (quoits?) (nakharaprāsayodhinah); the Uçīnaraḥ are good at all weapons; the Prācyāḥ are excellent at elephant-fighting (mātangayuddha); they are also deceitful fighters (kūṭayodhinah); the Yavanāḥ and Kāmbojāḥ, with those