Description of Bows and Arrows

In view of the importance of weapons (Ayudha) in any military operation, the king should have a fair knowledge about them. And therefore, Samrajya-lakshmi-pithika devotes are full patala (135) for the weaponry. In this section we get informations mainly about bows and arrows, targets and the qualities of a bow-man. Importance of bow : The bow is still considered to be the greatest of all weapons (sarvayudhamahamatra). It is generally made from high quality bamboo-canes (sadvamsa) which have parvan (joints) and to its both ends (koti) are tied a string (jya) The bow-man who is highly skilled, operates such a bow to release arrows against the enemies. (1354-8). Classification: It is primarily divided into two classes, namely, the divine (daiva) and the human (manusa). The 53. The classical division of weapons into mukta and amukta etc. is also not mentioned in Samrajya-lakshmi-pithika See Nitiprakasika (chapters 4 and 5) for this. Sukraniti 4.7. 191-193 divides weapons into two categories viz. astram and sastram. Also it mentions weapons that are rendered more potent with mantra and others, with fire.

556 to be former is considered superior to the latter. The bows of 54 ^ the first class are five and half cubits' long, have nine or seven joints and a good iva. On the other hand, the stick of the manusa variety is four cubits' long and has three, four or seven joints and a good string. The daiva bows are stated to be used by divine beings like Siva, Parasurama, Rama etc. while the manusa, by ancient kings like Yayati, Nahusa etc. And the author is of the opinion that the manusa variety is appropriate for the use of other kings. (6-15). The defective/bows : We also find enlisted in the text some defective bows, The Such which according to our author, should be avoided. bows if unwisely used, may bring in disaster. relationship between the use of such weapons (bows) and the purported disaster associated with their use, does not appear to have any rational basis except perhaps harming and causing inconvenience to the bow-man but our author explains this in a magical way. an A As example may be taken the use of bow which has inherent defect (jatidusta). It is attributed that the use 54. Samrajya-lakshmi-pithika does not say anything on the materials with which different kinds of bows are made. For a list of such material see Hariharacaturanga p.147 ff. verses 46-51.

557 of such a bow leads to quarrel with one's own relations. Similarly, are to be avoided bows, which have four, six or or eight joints, which are very old, made which are very old, made of unripe bamboo. The bow made of very old bamboo (atiiIrna) is to be is to be avoided as it may be difficult (hard) to handle whereas the bow made of unripe bamboo may be broken. The bow which has equal number of joints is said to cause grief and bewilderment (Sokamohakara) and the bow which has a protuberance like that of goitre (galagranthi), reduces one to penury. Thus the bow-man should be careful to avoid these defeets while selecting a bow (16-20). Variety: and manusa A bow free from any defect of both the daiva varieties when held by a bow-man is called Kodanda. Lord Visnu's bow is known as the Sarnga or made of horn. It is stated to be made by Visvakarman, is as long as seven vitasti (twelve angulas) and is bent at three places. The Manusa variety of this bow is described to be six and half vitasti long which is generally carried by soldiers fighting from elephant and horse-back. The chariotedbow-men and those who are fighting on foot use bows made of 55 bamboo. (21-26). 55. See Nitiprakasika 4.21 which classifies bow as Sargika which is held to be same as trinata and the vainika vaitastika. as

558 The bow-string : The bow-string is described to be of a number of varieties. The foremost among these is the one, made of silken threads (pattasutra) and is as thick as the little finger. It is as long as the bow (dhanuspramana), is without any joint and has three strands, roped together. Other varieties are made of either the sinews (snayu) of antelopes, buffaloes, cows or of human hairs (nrloman Some are also made from the skin of ripe bamboos or from the bark of arka (Calotropis Gigantea) Plants. (27-30) Arrows: Generally, an arrow is described to be not very thick, nor very thin and made of nor very ripe shoots either. Those plants which grow on bad land, which are devoid of joints and which are broken, are to be avoided. On the other hand, those arrows are considered good, which have and are fully developed joints, made of ripe bamboo canes of fine quality. (31-32). Besides the bamboo canes, the feather of birds also form another component of an arrow. Samrajya-lakshmi-pithika prescribes strong and beautiful feathers of birds like heron (kanka), Swan,

559 56 parrot, peahen, flamingo and ospray (kurara). To one arrow are tied as many as four feathers, each of six fingers' Length breadth. While fixing these, care is to be observed to preserve the distinction between feathers tied to one side and those tied to the otherside of the arrow (Paksabheda). This is brief, explains the procedure that goes to make an arrow to be used in a bow made of bamboocane. The arrows used in a bow made of horn (sarnga) have Feathers measuring Length ten fingers' breadth (33-35). Categories of arrows: Primarily, arrows are of three categories, the male, the female and the hermaphrodite (pumstrisandha). The female arrows are those which are thick or bulky at the fore-most point (agra) while the male are bulky at the rear and the of third variety arrows are same from one end to the other. ^ The female variety are good at longer flights (durapata), the male are suitable at piercing hard targets (drdhabhedana) while the arrows of the third variety are used with slight variations than the other two (36-38). Besides these, there are other ten types of arrows as follows : Dharamukha, Ksurapra, Gopuccha, Ardhacandraka, 56. Cf. Hariharacaturanga p.51, 83-84 where seven such sources are enumerated.

560 Sucimukha, Bhalla, Vatsadanta, Dvibhallaka, Vikarna and Kakatunda. We are further informed that particular arrows could be efficiently used against particular targets only. For example the dharamukha was used to cut only the leathern shield (carman) while the ksurapra was employed to cut enemy's bows. The sucimukha arrows were meant to destroy the coat of mails (kavaca), the ardhacandra, the head, the bhalla, the heart, the dvibhalla, the bowstring, the kaka tunda, the arrow, and gopuccha, the targets made of iron (lauha-laksa). (39-42). About the shape of these arrows, it is said that these 57 immitate the shape and size as indicated by their names. Added to these, we come to know about another variety of arrows, which are made of iron and are called naraca which, when fitted with the attachment of five feathers, give good results at war. Then, there are the lighter variety of arrows known as the nalika which are made of the reeds of Nalakanda (Amphidonax karka). This variety is considered effective while striking from great heights of forts. (42-44). Decorations : All varieties of arrows are variously decorated. Sometimes, these are known as carrying shafts of gold 57. Sva svanama samakara bhaveyuh .... (135.42).

561 (rukmapunkha), painted with a variety of colours and often, plated with gold or other fine metals. One significant practice mentioned by Samrajya-lakshmi-pithika centres round the fact that names of individual warriors were permanently inscribed on the arrows used by them. 58 This was done with a motive to inform the wounded that he was hit by the arrow of a particular warrior (44-45). 59 Means of toughening an arrow : Besides the choice of ideal and suitable material with which an arrow is made Samrajya-lakshmi-pithika States that extra strength and lethality of arrows can be obtained by first smearing these with an unguent prepared out of pippali (piper longum), saindhava (rock-salt), kusta (a sort of poison) and cow's urine which is then to be heated in fire. This process is said to toughen an arrow which can even penetrate impenetrable and hard targets (46-47). Targets:—First of all, three types of targets are mentioned a. the Cala (moving) b. acala (static) and c. calacala (moving and static) . The bowman who can hit a moving target

58. Svasvanamaksaraisasvat cinhnitasca (135-45) 59. Hariharacaturanga (p.153, 114-117) mentions another decoction added to one described in Samrajya-lakshmi-pithika For the purpose are mentioned five kinds of salts pounded with mustard seeds mixed with honey etc.

while remaining firm to his place is known to carry the epithet, Calabhedin. Similar was the case of one, who while moving, could correctly hit at a fixed target. And lastly, who while remaining firm yet moving could hit a target with a single arrow was known as calacalabhedaka who can hit both a fixed and moving targets (48-52).