Nitiprakasika (Critical Analysis)
by S. Anusha | 2016 | 34,012 words
This page relates ‘Asidhenu (Stiletto)’ 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.
Asidhenu (Stiletto)
[Full title: War weapons > Śāstras > Amuktāyudhas > Asidhenu (Stiletto)]
This daughter of sword (Khaḍgaputrikā) is ideal for attacking the enemy closeby. It is always attached to the girdle of the warrior.
Tattvavivṛti defines it as a short knife of a hand’s length:
[...]
It is plausible that it is the asiyaṣṭi denoted by Arthaśāstra[1].
The possible actions are (Nītiprakāśikā V. 17cd):
[...]
(a) Muṣṭyagragrahaṇa—Holding the weapon in the fist
(b) Pāṭana—Splitting
(c) Kuntana [Kuntanam]—Breaking
Aparājitapṛcchā[2] speaks of varieties of the Asidhenu or Churikā namely kaumārī, lakṣmī, śaṅkhiṇī, tundakā, pāpinī, śubhagā and lakṣā
Mānasollāsa (I. 4. 20-32) describes eleven strategic positions while using the dagger. It also gives (I. 4. 34-41) eight stances (gatis) while using the dagger as Pādaprāptigati, anukṣepagati, sarpitāṃgati, mattebhagati, vāyasagati, bakotīmagati and pañcānana.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
2.18.12:[...]
[2]:
P. 598:[...]