Nitiprakasika (Critical Analysis)
by S. Anusha | 2016 | 34,012 words
This page relates ‘Goshirsha (Cow-Horn Spear)’ 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.
Gośīrṣa (Cow-Horn Spear)
[Full title: War weapons > Śāstras > Amuktāyudhas > Gośīrṣa (Cow-Horn Spear)]
It has wooden body and metal head with three sharp edges says Tattvavivṛti:
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Tradition holds the view that Indra presented it to Manu. It has four different movements connected to it (V.14):
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(a) Muṣṭigraha–holding by the fist
(b) Parikṣepa–throwing
(c) Paridhi–defensive
(d) Parikuntana–piercing