Nitiprakasika (Critical Analysis)
by S. Anusha | 2016 | 34,012 words
This page relates ‘War in Sanskrit Literature (Introduction)’ of the study on the Nitiprakasika by Vaisampayana which deals primarily with with Dhanurveda, i.e., the science of war, weapons and military strategies of ancient Indian society. It further contains details on Niti-shastra, i.e., the science of politics and state administration but most verses of the Nitiprakashika deal with the classification and description of different varieties of weapons, based on the four groups of Mukta, Amukta, Muktamukta and Mantramukta.
War in Sanskrit Literature (Introduction)
Indian ethos lays emphasis on the shaping up of the internal as well as external being. The spiritual, moral and social growth of spheres of an individual should advance in unison towards the individual’s emancipation. This principle of the Indian society essentially requires stable social order and solid political foundation. This political institution is woven in the fabric of organic social existence which in turn rests on the framework of the goals of life laid out for individuals who constitute this political and social institution. Life was based on profound ideals and our ancients envisioned a dharmic environment for society as a whole. The political, social, legal and military policies of the kingdom drew guidance from the tenets of Arthaśāstra, Nītiśāstra and Dharmaśāstras. These portray dharmic politics as a means to reach the ultimate.
The internal and external security of any country takes precedence over all other policies for it ensures a peaceful existence for the people. The maintenance of a robust, vigilant military force is concomitant with growth as people can focus on development of the state in a stable, peaceful atmosphere which would be impossible in a war-ridden country. Strategic military policy offers protection against follies and fickleness which might take a toll on larger national interests. In this sense, this orb of war proffers immense scope for interesting study.
Ancient Indian literature clearly indicates that our ancients recognized the need to devise weapons for self-defense and the need to train and maintain an army. Their knowledge of war-craft can be discerned from a study of the Vedas, Itihāsas, Purāṇas, Śāstras and Kāvyas.