History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c62.294

v4.c62.294

*Senāpati* : The qualities of a commander-in-chief are stated in several places such as Kauṭilya (II. 33), Ayodhyā 100. 30 (= Sabhā 5. 46), Śānti 85. 31-32, Matsya 215. 8-10, Agnipurāṇa 220. 1 ff, Kām. XVIII. 27-44, Viṣṇudharmottara II. 24. 4-6, Mānasollāsa II. 2, verses 90-92 p. 37. Acc. to the Agni-purāṇa 220. 1, Matsya 215. 10 the commander-in-chief must be either a brāhmaṇa or a kṣatriya. Śukra (II. 429-430) requires that a kṣatriya should be preferred as senāpati, but if a valiant kṣatriya be not available a brāhmaṇa may be chosen, but a śūdra should not be chosen. Acc. to the Mānasollāsa he should possess the following qualities: good family, character, courage, proficiency in (several) languages, cleverness in riding horses and elephants and in the science of arms, knowledge of omens and medicine, knowledge of the breeds of horses and of the difference between what is essential and non-essential, liberality, sweet speech, self-control, intelligence, resoluteness. In the Mahābhārata senāpatis are elected and consecrated (vide Udyoga 151, Droṇa 5, Karṇa 10), but this was not so in later times. He is appointed by the king on his own initiative.