CHAP. mander under himself, to act in all quarters; and 'from whatever side he perceives a design of attack VII. ing him, to that side let him turn his front. 190. On all sides let him station troops of soldiers, ' in whom he confides, distinguished by known colours and other marks; who are excellent both in sustain 6 ing a charge and in charging, who are fearless and incapable of desertion. 191. Let him at his pleasure order a few men to engage in a close phalanx, or a large number of 'warriours in loose ranks; and, having formed them in a long line like a needle, or in three divisions ' like a thunderbolt, let him give orders for battle. 192. On a plain, let him fight with his armed cars and horses; on watery places, with manned 'boats and elephants; on ground full of trees and shrubs, with bows; on cleared ground, with swords and targets, and other weapons. 193. Men born in Curucshétra, near Indraprest' ha, in Matsya, or Viráta, in Panchálu, or Cány acubja, ' and in Súraséna, in the district of Mathurà, let him cause to engage in the van; and men, born in other countries, who are tall and light. 194. Let him, when he has formed his troops in array, encourage them with short animated speeches ; ' and then, let him try them completely let him know, "likewise, how his men severally exert themselves, while they charge the foe. 195. If VII. 195. If he block up his enemy, let him sit en- CHAP. camped, and lay waste the hostile country; let him continually spoil the grass, water, and wood of the • adverse prince. 196. Pools, wells, and trenches let him destroy. 'let him harass the foe by day, and alarm him by night. 197. Let him secretly bring over to his party all 'such leaders as he can safely bring over; let him be informed of all that his enemies are doing; and, ' when a fortunate moment is offered by heaven, let him give battle, pushing on to conquest and aban'doning fear: 198. Yet he should be more sedulous to reduce 'his enemy by negotiation, by well applied gifts, and by creating divisions, using either all or some of 'those methods, than by hazarding at any time a decisive action, 199. Since victory or defeat are not surely foreseen on either side, when two armies engage in the field; let the king then, if other expedients prevail, ' avoid a pitched battle: 200. But, should there be no means of applying the three before-mentioned expedients, let him, after due preparation, fight so valiantly, that his enemy may be totally routed. 201. HAVING conquered a country, let him respect the deities adored in it, and their virtuous priests; 'let 2 F VII. CHAP. let him also distribute largesses to the people, and 6 cause a full exemption from terrour to be loudly proclaimed. 202. When he has perfectly ascertained the conduct and intentions of all the vanquished, let him 'fix in that country a prince of the royal race, and give him precise instructions. 6 203. Let him establish the laws of the conquered 'nation as declared in their books; and let him gratify the new prince with gems and other precious gifts. 204. The seizure of desirable property, though it cause hatred, and the donation of it, though it cause love, may be laudable or blameable on different 'occasions: 6 205. All this conduct of human affairs is considered as dependent on acts ascribed to the deity, and on acts ascribed to men; now the operations of the deity cannot be known by any intenseness of thought, but those of men may be clearly discovered. 206. OR the victor, considering an ally, territory, ⚫ and wealth as the triple fruit of conquest, may 'form an alliance with the vanquished prince, and proceed in union with him, using diligent circumspection. 207. He should pay due attention to the prince, 'who supported his cause, and to any other prince in the circumjacent region, who checked that sup'porter, so that, both from a well-wisher and from an 6 opponent, . opponent, he may secure the fruit of his expedi- CHAP. ⚫tion. 6 208. By gaining wealth and territory a king acquires ing a firm ally, who, though weak, may hereafter ' be powerful. 209. That ally, though feeble, is highly estimable, who knows the whole extent of his duties, who gratefully remembers benefits, whose people are satisfied, or, who has a gentle nature, who loves his friend, ' and perseveres in his good resolutions. 6 210. Him have the sages declared an enemy hard 'to be subdued, who is eminently learned, of a noble race, personally brave, dexterous in management, liberal, grateful, and firm. 6 211. Good-nature, knowledge of mankind, valour, benignity of heart, and incessant liberality, are the assemblage of virtues, which adorn a neutral prince, whose amity must be courted. 212. Even a salubrious and fertile country, where ' cattle continually increase, let a king abandon without hesitation for the sake of preserving himself: 213.Against misfortune, let him preserve his wealth; 214. A wise prince, who finds every sort of cala- 2F2 VII. CHAP. VII. 6 mity rushing violently upon him, should have recourse to all just expedients, united or separate: 215. Let him consider the business to be expe'dited, the expedients collectively, and himself who must apply them; and, taking refuge completely in 'those three, let him strenuously labour for his own. ' prosperity. 6 216. HAVING consulted with his ministers, in the manner before prescribed, on all this mass of publick affairs; having used exercise becoming a warriour, and having bathed after it, let the king enter at 'noon his private apartment for the purpose of taking food. 217. There let him eat lawful aliment, prepared by servants attached to his person, who know the dif'ference of times and are incapable of perfidy, after it has been proved innocent by certain experiments, ⚫ and hallowed by texts of the Veda repulsive of poison. 6 218. Together with all his food let him swallow 'such medical substances as resist as resist venom; and let him constantly wear with attention such gems, as are known to repel it. 219. Let his females, well tried and attentive, their dress and ornaments having been examined, lest some weapon should be concealed in them, do him humble 'service with fans, water, and perfumes: 220. Thus let him take diligent care, when he |
