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Studies in Ancient Hindu Polity (Based on the Arthashastra of Kautilya), Vol. I c7.s3.t6: A few other rules

Studies in Ancient Hindu Polity (Based on the Arthaśāstra of Kauṭilya), Vol. I c7.s3.t6

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A few other rules

c7.s3.t6.1

As regards the distances to be traversed by draught horses, the rule was that they should run six, nine, and twelve yojanas¹ according to their quality. Five, eight, and ten yojanas were the maximum limits of distance for riding horses.

c7.s3.t6.2

¹ A yojana = 6 1/2 miles. षड्व द्वादशेति योजनान्यध्वा रथानां, पञ्चयोजनान्यध्वा- मानि द्वादशेति पृष्ठवाहानां व्यासाधवा ।—(अध्याधः) ।

c7.s3.t6.3

Horses disabled by disease, age or war and rendered unfit for active service were relieved from all work.²

c7.s3.t6.4

² युद्धवाजिजराकर्मजीवाः पिण्डोपचारिकाः सुरसमप्रयोक्त्राः । पौरजानपदानाम् अर्धेन वृषा वड़वाश्च आजीव्याः ।—*Ibid.*

c7.s3.t6.5

The grooms (अश्वपालक), those who bound them in stables (अश्वबन्धक), supplied meadow-grass (घासघसः), prepared the meals of horses (विषापाक), watched the stables (अश्वपालक), dressed their hair (केशकार), and detected poison (जाङ्गुलीवित्) were liable to a fine of a day’s wages for neglect of duty.³ The जाङ्गुलीविदः were the grooms, cooks and veterinary surgeons, for it was they who had to taste the food of the horses.¹ The attendants of horses were enjoined to make a careful use of what they brought from the treasury or the storehouse for purposes of the stables, so as to prevent waste.² There were expert ropemakers for making ropes for horses; while the manufacture of accoutrements was the work of the chariot-makers (सूतः).³

c7.s3.t6.6

³ कर्मानतिक्रमे तेषां दिवसवेतनच्छेदं कुर्यात् ।—*Ibid.*

c7.s3.t6.7

¹ विधापाचक अश्वपाचक चिकित्सकः प्रतिसादभाजः।—*Ibid.*

c7.s3.t6.8

² कोशकोष्ठागाराभ्याम् च मषीला मासजाभम् अश्ववाद्यश्चित्-येत्।—*Ibid.*

c7.s3.t6.9

³ तेषां यत्रोपकरणं योक्त्राचार्याः प्रतिदिशेयुः। सांनाहिकं रथावाद्यङ्कारं च सूताः।—*Ibid.*

c7.s3.t6.10

*Ceremonies observed for the welfare of horses.*

c7.s3.t6.11

In conclusion, it should be remarked that horses were accorded an almost human treatment, which indicates the great value attached to them. Besides the rules prescribed by experience and science to secure the health and well-being of horses, there were certain religious ceremonies observed to influence unseen forces in their favour. The horses were regularly washed, bedaubed with sandal, and even garlanded twice a day. On new-moon days, the sacrifice to *Bhūtas* was performed; and on full-moon days, auspicious hymns were chanted. On the ninth day of the month of Âsvin, and also at the beginning and end of journeys, the priest invoked blessings on horses by performing the ceremony of आरति, or the waving of lights.¹

c7.s3.t6.12

¹ हिरण्यस्नानमश्वानां मज्जनं च दापयेत् अश्वयुग्मेषु भूतेभ्यः पूजेषु स्वस्तिवाचनम् । नीराजनमथाश्वेषु कारयेद्यत्नतोऽहनि यात्रायावसाने वा यावी वा शान्तिके रतः ।—*Ibid.*

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