Nitiprakasika (Critical Analysis)
by S. Anusha | 2016 | 34,012 words
This page relates ‘War Weapons (1): Shastras (Introduction)’ 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 Weapons (1): Śāstras (Introduction)
The distinct qualities of weapons, the ease with which they could be handled and the extent of their use against rivals in the battlefront determine the course of a war. These war implements often decide the fate of the warring nations. Thus, it is obvious that wars are unimaginable without arms and armaments.
Weapons are denoted by synonyms like–astra (that which is thrown); śastra (that which kills); āyudha (that with which warrior fights) and praharaṇa (that with which someone is beaten up). These weapons are designed to strike enemies who are at closer or farther distances. Certain weapons are released to attack enemies who are at a distance. These are muktāyudhas. Conversely, the weapons that are hand-held to hit or kill enemies in close-combat are amuktāyudhas.
Nītiprakāśikā (Nītiprakāśikā) discusses about twelve muktāyudhas and twenty-one amuktāyudhas. In addition to these two categories, there are two more called the muktāmuktāyudhas and mantramuktāyudhas (released by a mantra).
Nītiprakāśikā defines the weapons with fixed forms, sizes and designated purpose, as śastras. It calls the projectile class of weapons as astras. These astras are propelled by mantric power. Their striking characteristic feature is that they are infallible and precise despite great distances. The mantras upon use, deftly transform even a blade of grass into an unfathomable astra. It is by the power of the mantra that the astra gains potency to kill enemies in huge numbers or rout very powerful foes.
[Note: The physical descriptions and measurements of all these weapons and also the amuktāyudhas have been already given in chapter II as tables.]