Chandragupta Maurya and His Times c13.10

c13.10

*Senāpati.* In the Kauṭilīya scheme, the entire War-Office with all its departments is placed under the supreme control of the Commander-in-Chief known as the *Senāpati* who is to be possessed of all military qualifications. He should be proficient in all modes of warfare (*sarvayuddha*), in the art of handling all kinds of weapons of war (*praharaṇa*), a man of high general education (*vidyāvinīta*) and capable of controlling all the four divisions of the army. Each of these divisions will have its own chief under the control of the Commander-in-Chief at the top. He is to maintain the discipline of the army both at peace (*sthāne gamananiṿrittau*), on the march (*yāne*), and in attack (*praharaṇe*). He is also to divide the army into *Vyūhas* or regiments with their distinctive marks in regard to trumpets (*tūrya*), ensigns (*dhvaja*), and flags (*patākā*) [II. 33].