Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c6.174

c6.174

The justification of slaughter on the battlefield is that it brings protection to the good and the righteous. Valour is rewarded in heaven. A Kṣatriya enjoys as many eternal and blissful regions as the number of shafts with which he pierces the bodies of his enemies. In a long-drawn-out analogy, the Mahābhārata likens the various operations on the battlefield with those of sacrifices. In this life, too, meritorious service in war should be rewarded by double-pay, excellent food, drink, and a seat equal to that of the king, and promotion in the military rank. The Mahābhārata proceeds to lay down physical, mental and moral qualifications for soldiers, dilates on the time, season and order of manoeuvres, and discusses the characteristics, dispositions and chances of success of armies.¹