Nitiprakasika (Critical Analysis)
by S. Anusha | 2016 | 34,012 words
This page relates ‘Nitiprakashika–A text on War-science’ 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.
Nītiprakāśikā–A text on War-science
Amidst popular and lofty nīti texts like the Arthaśāstra, Kāmandakīya or Nītisāra, the lesser known, meritorious Nītiprakāśikā is yet to receive its due acclaim. This dissertation aims to present a critical analysis of Nītiprakāśikā in the direction of its comprehensive summary on arms and armaments, tutelage on machiavellian combatant strategies and organization of army personnel. It focuses on the scientific aspects of war presented in the text with a discerning outlook to re-instate the unique status of Nītiprakāśikā among the nīti texts.
The present study attempts to highlight the merits of the text Nītiprakāśikā along with its commentary Tattvavivṛti. It takes cues from Tattvavivṛti to study different dimensions of war. It also endeavours to supplement literary evidences for the textual and commentarial content. With this objective, the study is classified into six chapters. The first introductory chapter presents an overview of war science elements, in Sanskrit literature. The second chapter records the details of the author and commentator along with their probable dates. It enumerates in a nutshell the textual content, recording noteworthy details of Tattvavivṛti The following chapter is on War Weapons. It provides details of weapons under two sections namely śastras and astras. The fourth chapter supplies strategical considerations needed for war. This is presented in three sections namely, those pertaining to peace-time, pre-war and war-time. The fifth chapter furnishes the administrative information required for war and also the organization of army personnel. The dissertation winds up with the sixth chapter giving an evaluation of the textual study.