Chapter 6 - The Array of the Army

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Summary: The Array of the Army like a Staff, a Snake, a Circle, or in Detached Order; the Array of the Army Against that of an Enemy.

Wings and front, capable to turn (against an enemy is what is called) a snake-like array (bhoga); the two wings, the two flanks, the front and the reserve (form an array) according to the school of Bṛhaspati. The principal forms of the array of the army, such as that like a staff, like a snake, like a circle, and in detached order, are varieties of the above two forms of the array consisting of wings, flanks and front.

Stationing the army so as to stand abreast, is called a staff-like array (daṇḍa).

Stationing the army in a line so that one may follow the other, is called a snake-like array (bhoga).

Stationing the army so as to face all the directions, is called a circle-like array (maṇḍala).

Detached arrangement of the army into small bodies so as to enable each to act for itself) is termed an array in detached order (asaṃhata).

That which is of equal strength on its wings, flanks and front, is a staff-like array.

The same array is called pradara (breaking the enemy’s array) when its flanks are made to project in front.

The same is called dṛḍhaka (firm) when its wings and flanks are stretched back.

The same is called asahya (irresistible) when its wings are lengthened.

When, having formed the wings, the front is made to bulge out, it is called an eagle-like array.

The same four varieties are called “a bow,” “the centre of a bow,” “a hold,” and “a stronghold,” when they are arranged in a reverse form.

That of which the wings are arrayed like a bow, is called sañjaya (victory).

The same with projected front is called vijaya (conqueror); that which has its flanks and wings formed like a staff, is called sthūlakarṇa (big ear); the same with its front made twice as strong as the conqueror, is called viśālavijaya (vast victory); that which has its wings stretched forward is called camūmukha (face of the army); and the same is called jhaṣāsya (face of the fish) when it is arrayed in the reverse form.

The staff-like array in which one (constituent of the army) is made to stand behind the other, is called a pin-like array.

When this array consists of two such lines, it is called an aggregate (valaya); and when of four lines, it is called an invincible array—these are the varieties of the staff-like array.

The snake-like array, in which the wings, flanks and front are of unequal depth, is called sarpasārī (serpentine movement), or gomūtrikā (the course of a cow’s urine).

When it consists of two lines in front and has its wings arranged as in the staff-like array, it is called a cart-like array; the reverse of this is called a crocodile-like array; the cart-like array, which consists of elephants, horses and chariots is called vāripatantaka (?)—these are the varieties of the snake-like array.

The circle-like array, in which the distinction of wings, flanks and front is lost, is called sarvatomukha (facing all directions), or sarvatobhadra (all auspicious), aṣṭānikā (one of eight divisions), or vijaya (victory)—these are the varieties of the circle-like array.

That of which the wings, flanks and front are stationed apart, is called an array in detached order; when five divisions of the army are arranged in detached order, it is called vajra (diamond), or godha (alligator); when four divisions, it is called udyānaka (park), or kākapadi (crow’s foot); when three divisions, it is called ardhacandrikā (half-moon), karkāṭakaśṛṅgi (?)—these are the varieties of the array in detached order.

The array in which chariots form the front, elephants the wings, and horses the rear, is called ariṣṭa (auspicious).

The array in which infantry, cavalry, chariots and elephants stand one behind the other is called acala (immovable).

The array in which elephants, horses, chariots and infantry stand in order one behind the other is called apratihata (invincible).

Of these, the conqueror should assail the pradara by means of the dṛḍhaka; dṛḍhaka by means of the asahya; śyena (eagle-like array) by means of cāpa (an array like a bow); a hold by means of a stronghold; sañjaya by means of vijaya; sthūlakarṇa by means of viśālavijaya; vāripatantaka by means of sarvatobhadra. He may assail all kinds of arrays by means of the durjaya.

Of infantry, cavalry, chariots and elephants, he should strike the first-mentioned with that which is subsequently mentioned; and a small constituent of the army with a big one.

For every ten members of each of the constituents of the army, there must be one commander, called padika; ten padikas under a senāpati; ten senāpatis under a nāyaka (leader).

The constituents of the array of the army should be called after the names of trumpet sounds, flags and ensigns. Achievement of success in arranging the constituents of the army in gathering the forces, in camping, in marching, in turning back, in making onslaughts, and in the array of equal strength depends upon the place and time of action.

* By the display of the army, by secret contrivances, by fiery spies employed to strike the enemy engaged otherwise, by witchcraft, by proclaiming the conqueror’s association with gods, by carts, by the ornaments of elephants;

* by inciting traitors, by herds of cattle, by setting fire to the camp, by destroying the wings and the rear of the enemy’s army, by sowing the seeds of dissension through the agency of men under the guise of servants;

* or by telling the enemy that his fort was burnt, stormed, or that some one of his family, or an enemy or a wild chief rose in rebellion—by these and other means the conqueror should cause excitement to the enemy.

* The arrow shot by an archer may or may not kill a single man; but skilful intrigue devised by wise men can kill even those who are in the womb.

[Thus ends Chapter VI, “The Array of the Army like a Staff, a Snake, a Circle, or in Detached Order; the Array of the Army against that of an Enemy,” in Book X, “Relating to War” of the Arthaśāstra of Kauṭilya. End of the hundred and thirty-fourth chapter from the beginning.

With this ends the Tenth Book, “Relating to War” of the Arthaśāstra of Kauṭilya.]