Nitiprakasika (Critical Analysis)
by S. Anusha | 2016 | 34,012 words
This page relates ‘Khadga (Sword)’ 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.
Khaḍga (Sword)
[Full title: War weapons > Śāstras > Amuktāyudhas > Khaḍga (Sword)]
This is accorded the supreme weapon status [...](III.8) by the creator. This excellent weapon of close-combat is also called Nistriṃśa has eight other synonyms as–Asi [Asiḥ], Viśasana [Viśasanaḥ], Khaḍga [Khaḍga], Tīkṣṇadharmā, Durāsada [Durāsadaḥ], Śrīgarbha [Śrīgarbho], Vijaya [Vijaya] and Dharmamāla [Dharmamāla] (III. 36-7):
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Khaḍga has the following thirty-two movements which can be explained with the help of the commentary Tattvavivṛti (III. 24-8):
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(1) Bhrānta–circling on the ground - [...]
(2) Udbhrānta–upward encircling - [...]
(3) Āviddha–curved motion -[...][1]
(4) Āpluta–deer’s leap - [...]
(5) Vipluta–special type of leap - [...]
(6) Sṛta–following - [...]
(7) Samyānta [Samyāntam]–following properly - [...]
(8) Samudīrṇa–well-executed - [...]
(9) Nigraha–holding low - [...]
(10) Pragraha–holding firmly - [...]
(11) Pādāvakarṣa–lowering the sword besides the feet - [...]
(12) Sandhāna–throwing it towards the enemy–[...]
(13) Śiroparibhrama–moving the arm in circular movement over the head.
(14) Bhujaparibhrama–moving the arm at the shoulder height.
(15) Pāśa–mutual blocking of swords–[...]
(16) Pāda–blending of swords–[...]
(17) Vibandha–locking of swords–[...]
(18) Bhūmi–placing it down–[...]
(19) Udbhramaṇa–raising it upwards–[...]
(20) Gata [Gatam]–chasing the enemy–[...]
(21) Pratyāgata–charging towards the enemy–[...]
(22) Ākṣepa–make the enemies stumble–[...]
(23) Pātana–make the enemy drop the sword–[...]
(24) Utthānaka–raise the sword–[...]
(25) Pluta [Plutam]–restore one's position–[...]
(26) Lāghava [Lāghavam]–swift movement–[...]
(27) Sauṣṭava [Sauṣṭavam]–handle sword with finesse–[...]
(28) Śobhā–whoosh sword in all directions–[...]
(29) Sthiratva [Sthiratvam]–firm position–[...]
(30) Dṛdhamuṣṭitā–hold sword firmly–[...]
(31) Tiryakpracaraṇa [Tiryakpracaraṇam]–slanting movement–[...]
(32) Ūrdhvapracaraṇa [Ūrdhvapracaraṇam]–hold sword upwards–[...]
Arthaśāstra (II. 18. 14) says in general classes the amuktāyudhas–paraśu, kuṭhāra, paṭṭaśa, khanitra, kāṇḍaccedana, spade and saw under the razor-type weapons.
It brings out the varieties in swords as–nistriṃśa (curved tip), maṇḍalāgra (straight with round tip) and asiyaṣṭi (thin and long). The horn of rhinoceres and buffalo, tusk of elephant, wood and bamboo root form the hilts for these swords.
Sword was a very popular weapon in the sculptures of Khajuraho. There double-edged, straight, thrust, axe-end,cut,plough-like and curved swords could be seen.