Nitiprakasika (Critical Analysis)
by S. Anusha | 2016 | 34,012 words
This page relates ‘War Finance (Awards and Rewards)’ 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 Finance (Awards and Rewards)
These are offered as appreciation of the exemplary deed that the soldiers and officers have performed at the battle field. By such gestures the army retains its loyalty to the king. Such rewards also exhibit the king’s sincere recognitionof the merits of his men who have lost probably limbs and at times lives even.
Nītiprakāśikā (VI. 92) says that when the soldier receives rewards in addition to his salary, he will be enthused to perform daily deeds:
[...]
The king should also be ready to provide such rewards complementary to the bravery of his soldiers; by this he can retain and recruit bold and strong warriors to his side (Nītiprakāśikā VI. 101):
[...]
Such awards and rewards given by the king are enumerated by Nītiprakāśikā in many verses (VI. 88-110) are presented in tabular form below:
| For exemplary deeds | Pūrṇapātra (vessel full of money) | [...] |
| Rājaghāta (on killing enemy king) | 100,000 varvas | [...] |
| Rājasūta or Senāpati vadha (on killing crown prince or commander-in- chief) | 50,000 varvas | [...] |
| Akṣauhiṇīpati vadha (on killing the leader of Akṣauhiṇī | 25,000 varvas | [...] |
| Mantrī/Amātyavadha (on killing councillor/minister) | 12500 varvas | [...] |
| Anīkinīpativadha (on killing commander of Anīkinī) | 6250 varvas | [...] |
| Camūpativadha (on killing the Commander of Camū) | 3125 varvas | " |
| Pṛtanāpativadha (on killing the commander of Pṛtana) | 1562.5 varvas | " |
| Vāhinīpativadha (on killing commander of Vāhinī) | 781.25 varvas | " |
| Gaṇapativadha (on killing commander of Gaṇapati) | 390.625 varvas | " |
| Gulmapativadha (on killing commander of Gulmapati) | 195.315 varvas | " |
| Senāmukhapativadha (on killing commander of Senāmukhapati | 97.66 varvas | " |
| Pattipativadha (on killing commander of Pattipati | 48.83 varvas | " |
| Akṣauhiṇīpativadha (on killing commander of Akṣauhiṇīpati | Present from king | [...] |
| Dvitīya Akṣauhiṇīpativadha (on killing commander of Dvitīya Akṣauhiṇīpati | Present from king | " |
| Tṛtīya Akṣauhiṇīpativadha (on killing commander of Tṛtīya Akṣauhiṇīpati | Present from king | " |
| Camūpativadha (on killing commander of Camūpati | Present from king | " |
| Pṛtanapativadha (on killing commander of Pṛtanapati | Present from king | " |
| Anīkinīpativadha (on killing commander of Anikinīpati | Present from king | [...] |
| Handing over fleeing soldier with weapons | 5 varvas | [...] |
| Handing over fleeing soldier | 3 varvas | [...] |
| Gajavadha (on killing elephant) | 2000 varvas | [...] |
| Gajasadivadha (on killing elephantry warrior) | 2000 varvas | [...] |
| Mahārathikavadha (on killing Mahārathika) | 2000 varvas | [...] |
| Hayārūḍhavadha (on killing cavalry warrior (distinguished) | 1000 varvas | [...] |
| Padātādhipativadha (on killing commander of padāti (infantry) | 1000 varvas | [...] |
| Handing over an enemy elephant or chariot | 500 varvas | [...] |
| Handing over a horse or chariot along with accessories | One fourth of the value | [...] |
| One who causes dissen-sion in enemy ranks scales hostile forts helps expand bondaries | Large amounts of money | [...] |
| Daring acts | Pāritoṣa (Rewards) | [...] |