The Social and Military Position of the Ruling Caste in Ancient India, as Represented by the Sanskrit Epic c2.s5.74

c2.s5.74

day. At this time also formal vows to slay are given, and conspiracies are formed against any prominent hero on the other side. A detailed description of the election of commander will be found below. The chiefs and common people alike, it may be observed, all appear to sit up and wait for the decision, and hail the new commander—as it is somewhere said, ‘thinking no more of their commanders slain, they greeted with great joy their new commander.’ That the post of commander-in-chief was much coveted is seen throughout the play, and is emphasized by the fact that Karṇa is so jealous because another is chosen in his stead that he will not fight at all at first, but sits sulking in his tent till his rival is slain and the post of honor then offered to him.*