War of Ancient India (PART-3)

Hello Everyone !!!

continued from last post...

DHANURVEDA :

Pre-dominant weapons used by different castes :--
1. Brahmin--  bow
2. Kshatriya-- sword
3. Vaishya--    lance/ javelin
4. Shudra--     mace and clubs

Different methods of fighting :--
Fighting with hands has its 7 divisions carried out by--

1. Bow & arrows
2. Chakra
3. Lance
4. Sword
5. Knife and dagger
6. Mace and clubs
7. Bare hands

The 4 types of Preceptors :--
1. Saptayuddha-- Well versed in 7 forms of fighting 
2. Bhargava      -- Well versed in 4 forms of fighting 
3. Yoddha         -- An expert in 2 forms of fighting 
4. Ganaka         -- An expert in 1 form of fighting

The 6-fold Army :-- 
1. Chariot
2. Elephant
3. Horsemen
4. Infantry
5. Commissariat
6. Admiralty

Astra and Shastra :--
  • Astra--    All mukta weapons
  • Shastra-- All amukta weapons
The 3 Kinds of Weapons :-- (Neeti Prakashaka)
1. Mukta
2. Amukta
3. Mantra mukta

The 2 Categories of Weapons :-- (Yukta Kalptru)
1. Mikam
2. Nirmayam

The 3 Categories of Shastras :--
1. Cutting/ blade
2. Stabbing 
3. Blunt

The 5 Ways of Overcoming any Warrior :--
1. Cut down his bow/ strings of bow
2. Destroy his chariot
3. Cut down the armor
4. Kill chariot horses
5. Kill the charioteer

The 7 Categories of Warriors :--
1. Pagi
2. Ardha-rathi
3. Rathi--                    A warrior capable of attacking 5,000 warriors at once
4. Ati-rathi--               Capable of attacking 12 Rathis
5. Maharathi--            Capable of handling 12 Ati-rathis
6. Ati-maharathi--      Capable of handling 12 Maharathis
7. Maha-maharathis-- Capable of handling 24 Ati-maharathis
  • Maharathis are the masters of all forms of weapons, combat skills and battle strategies.
The 5 Branches of Archery :-- 
1. Prayog-vidhi --
Using hurling or launching a weapon.

2. Upsanhara-vidhi --
To recall or withdraw the arrow already launched.

3. Avarti-vidhi --
To prevent distressing effects of thrown arrow or astra.

4. Prayaschita-vidhi --
Th ability of the archer to bring back to life any innocents killed by his weapon.

5. Pratighat-vidhi --
The ability to absorb the power of an incoming arrow/astra, repulse and turn it back to the attacker.
  • The Astras were operated by mantras, fire, gas, electric or machines.
Some Common Shastras :

 1. Gada (mace) :--
  • Made of iron
  • 4 types-- Rakshepa, Vikshepa, Abhikshepa, Parikshepa
  • 20 ways of handling
  • The 3 varieties-- (Arthashastra 2.18)
          Musala, Yasti Gada
  • Ausanasa Dhanurveda-- (Pg 39-40)
          Length-- 22.5" to 37.5"
          Shapes-- Pear, quadrilateral, Palmyra-root shaped.

2. Asi (sword) :--
  • Made of iron.
  • 32 types of movements
  • Dimension-- 50"x4"
  • It has 8 characteristics-- 
          a) Affording wealth
          b) Cruel
          c) Fearful
          d) Fiery
          e) Giving victory
          f) Powerful
          g) Source of maintaining Dharma 
          h) Unassailable

3. Parashu (battle-axe) :--
  • Length-- 36"to 60"
  • Blade made of steel and wooden handle.
  • 6 ways of using it
  • It could be double-edged, single edged with spike on non-cutting end.

Categories of Battle :

1st Category :--
1. Daivikam
2. Asuram
3. Manavam
4. Bahuyuddha

2nd Category :--
1. Daivika    (divine weapons usage)
2. Asuram    (firearms usage)
3. Manavam (usage of astra, shastra)

3rd Category :-- (Agni Purana)
1. Uttama                 (by Bow & arrow)
2. Madhayam           (Prasa)
3. Adhama               (shastras)
4. Adhama-adhama (unarmed combat)

4th Category :-- (Shukra-neeti)
1. Uttama                 (divine astras)
2. Madhayama         (firearms)
3. Adhama               (shastras)
4. Adhama-adhama (unarmed combat)

Archery Facts :
  • Arrow heads were made of iron, shaft made of reed and bamboo.
  • Name of warrior was carved on the arrow-head.
  • With a fine bow, an arrow can attain a speed of 80 miles/hour and could kill an enemy at a distance of 180-m.
  • The forbidden arrows to use were poisoned and fire arrows.
  • 10 types of arrow-heads used in the used in the Mahabharata war.
  • There are 10 types of Archery.

Shastras :

1. Amukta :-- (20 types)
Vajra, Pattisa sword, Isu (hand sword), Parashu, Gosiras spear, Asidhenu (dagger), Lavitra (sickle),
Kunta (dart), Sthuna, Prasa, Pinaka (trident), gada, mudgara, sira, musala, Pattisa spear, Maustika (fist sword), Parigha (battering ram), Mayukhi (staff), Sataghni.

2. Mukta :-- (12 types)
Bow & arrows, Sataghni, bindipala (club), sakti (spear), drughana (staff/ club), tomara (club), nalika, laguda (cudgel), pasa (noose), chakra, dantakanta, musundi (club).


 Thanks for Reading !!!











Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Canadian Combato (Manual Excerpts)

 Hello Everyone !!! Combato is a self defense system created by W.J. Underwood of Canada in 1945. The Core Principles : Balance Leverage Diversion Features of the Combative System : a) The body has 13 pressure points to strike. b) Physical :-- Trains to adapt according to natural movements of body, prompt action, speed and smoothness of movement and full development of muscles. c) Mental :-- Trains mind to be calm, don't meet force with force, rhythm and coordination of movements, develops the traits of observation, watchfulness, power of judgement, imaginative enterprise, quick decision. Thanks for Reading !!!
Read more

The Deer Hunter's Bible book by Laycock, George (1986)

  Hello Everyone !! This book is a comprehensive guide to hunting deer. It covers various aspects of deer hunting, including strategies, equipment, and techniques. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or a beginner, this book aims to enhance your understanding of deer behavior and improve your chances of a successful hunt. Fanny pack/ Small day Pack Contents : [Pg #87] Lunch & meat bags, ropes, rattling antlers, camera, scents, dry socks, first-aid kit, compass, hunting knife, notepad, pencil. Thank you for Reading !!
Read more

The Concept of Mlecchas in Hinduism

 Hello Everyone !!! In Vedic era India, all alien cultures that were less civilized were termed as "Mlecchas" or barbarians. They were unknown to the Vedic culture, not versed in Sanskrit and were out of the Bharatvarsha. King Bhoja (1,010-1,015 AD) established Languages for the 4 Varnas : Brahmins - Sanskrit Kshatriya - Sanskrit Vaishya - Sanskrit Shudras - Prakrit Mlecchas mentioned in Scriptures : The 5 Mleccha tribes - Kirata, Pulindasa, Indo-Greek, Scythians, Kushanas. ( Amar Kosha, 814 AD) This tribe was born from the tail of Nandini (celestial cow). They are dwellers of hills and mountains, of fierce eyes, conversant with deceptive powers of the Asuras.   ( Mahabharata 7.92) Mentioned in several verses of Srimad Bhagvatam and Chaitanya Charitamrita . According to the text Bhavishya Purana , there are 4 Mleccha languages . In this way, there are 4-million kinds of other languages. The 3 categories of tribes - Aryan, Dasa, Asuras.  ( Rig Veda ) Thanks for Reading...
Read more