15. Behaviour towards an Ally and Eenemy

One should very carefully watch the behaviour of an ally. He should be punished by just stopping all talk with him (damdamanabhasanam ca mittesu) if some defect be detected in him (paccakkha-dittha-doso). to A measure like this helps one/show him his right place, failing which the king himself has to die like the foetus of a mule. 1. According to Kantilya, the six attitudes are i) peace (sandhi), ii) war (vigraha), iii) remaining encamped (asana), iv) marching (yana), v) double-dealing (dhaidhi-bhava) and vi) seeking protection of a more powerful king (samsraya); Arthasastra, VII.1.2. 2. Frincess Acchara remarked that king Mahasihara was very powerful and was not vulnerable to any of the four exigencies: sama, upa+ppadana, bheda and damda; Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 102a.

89 Treatment to an Enemy : Having signed a treaty with the enemy, the king should not be complacent, as a treaty of this type brings complete destruction like that brought to a plantain tree by its fruits. In unfavourable circumstances one should touch even the feet of one's enemy. One should even carry him on one's shoulders till a favourable moment at which he can be thrown on stones. While punishing an enemy one should not heed his lamentations, but should crush him completely. If shown mercy, or neglected because of his pettiness and allowed to escape, he may prove dangerous afterwards, for, as the wise say, 'The remains of poison, fire and the enemy take no time for growth'. 'With enemies one should behave very softly and sweetly', continues Devarisabha, 'but should harbour a desire for their destruction. One should never be afraid of enemies but should not attack them when the possibilities of victory are very remote. Therefore, one should not be hasty in declaring a war. But once the danger of attack is imminent the king should courageously counteract it'. Vasudeva for whom all this discourse was meant, however, does not agree to this point of view, at least so far as he is concerned. He does not, it seems, believe in the daiva factor, his emphasis mainly being on valour

10 (purusakara). He quotes two analogies in his favour. 1 For emits instance, the crystal even when kicked by the sunfire. Who has taught a lion the science of polity? He depends on his own valour and continues to remain the king of the forest.