Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c11.s2.t1.31

c11.s2.t1.31

No military control of policy. There is another precaution necessary in deliberations of state. Military officers are not to be consulted in the determination of policy. They are only too ready to clutch at war. Strife is the law of their being. They are not to have a hand in the formulation of policy lest they involve the state into needless wars. Besides, if they are placed in control of civil policy, they may grow dangerously proud and powerful.² So, according to Somadeva, the policy of the state is never to be governed by the army.