Nitiprakasika (Critical Analysis)
by S. Anusha | 2016 | 34,012 words
This page relates ‘Bhindipala (Crooked Club)’ 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.
Bhindipāla (Crooked Club)
[Full title: War weapons > Śāstras > Muktāyudhas > Bhindipāla (Crooked Club)]
[Note: The English equivalents given in the bracket for all the weapons are taken from Oppert.]
The text explains how the weapon is to be wielded in war–It is held by one hand, whirled thrice and flung at the enemy with the left foot forward (IV. 31):
[...]
Tattvavivṛti explains the form of the weapon to be of one hasta length with body bent and the frontier portion being bigger and that it could be held by one hand–
[...]
Arthaśāstra (II. 18. 7) defines it as a rod with a heavy top.
V.R.R. Dikshitar[1] and S.K. Bhakari[2] opine that it is used to cut, hit, strike and break target and that it bears close resemblance to a kunta.
Footnotes and references:
[2]:
Indian Warfare, Munshiram Manoharlal Pvt. Ltd., 1981, p. 102