Chandragupta Maurya and His Times c14.101

c14.101

Spells and exorcisms formed part of the popular religion of the times. Evil was sought to be warded off by utterance of secret *Mantras* or spells (*aupanishadakam*), so that Brahminical Society might be protected against the attacks of the irreligious (*chāturvarṇya-rakshārtham*). There are mentioned incantations for terrorising the enemy by producing wonders (*adbhutotpātaiḥ*). It is also stated that "the king should protect his own people and injure that of his enemy by the application of *Mantras*, drugs and spells." For these incantations, the inferior deities were invoked such as Bali-Vairochana, Śambara, Devala, Nārada, Manu, Pramilā and the like [XIV. *Ib.*].