ably firm in strength, and feels himself highly ex- CHAP. alted in power, let him protect his dominions by

war.

171.

When he perfectly knows his own troops to be cheerful and well supplied, and those of his enemy quite the reverse, let him eagerly march against his foes;

172. But, when he finds himself weak in beasts of 'burden and in troops, let him then sit quiet in camp, using great attention, and pacifying his enemy by degrees.

173. When a king sees his foes stronger in all respects than himself, let him detach a part of his

6 army, to keep the enemy amused, and secure his own safety in an inaccessible place;

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174. But, when he is in all places assailable by the hostile troops, let him speedily seek the protection of a just and powerful monarch.

175. Him, who can keep in subjection both his own subjects and his foes, let him constantly sooth by all sorts of attentive respect, as he would honour his father, natural or spiritual:

176. But if, even in that situation, he find such protection a cause of evil, let him alone, though 'weak, wage vigorous war without fear.

177. By all these expedients let a politick prince act with such wisdom, that neither allies, neutral " powers,

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powers, nor foes, may gain over him any great advantage.

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178. Perfectly let him consider the state of his kingdom, both actually present and probably future, ' with the good and bad parts of all his actions:

179. That king shall never be overcome by his 'enemies, who foresees the good and evil to ensue 'from his measures; who, on present occasions, takes his resolution with prudent speed, and who weighs the various events of his past conduct.

180. Let him so arrange all his affairs, that no ally, neutral prince, or enemy, may obtain any advantage over him this, in a few words, is the sum ' of political wisdom.

181. WHEN the king begins his march against the domains of his foe, let him gradually advance, in 'the following manner, against the hostile metro'polis.

182. Let him set out on his expedition in the fine 'month Márgasírsha, or about the month of Phálguna and Chaitra, according to the number of his forces, that he may find autumnal or vernal crops in the country invaded by him:

183. Even in other seasons, when he has a clear ' prospect of victory, and when any disaster has befallen his foe, let him advance with the greater part of his army.

184. Having

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184. Having made a due arrangement of affairs in CHAP. his own dominions, and a disposition fit for his enterprize, having provided all things necessary for his continuance in the foreign realm, and having seen all his spies dispatched with propriety,

185. Having secured the three sorts of ways, over water, on plains, and through forests, and placed his six-fold army, elephants, cavalry, cars, infantry, officers, and attendants, in complete military form, let him proceed by fit journeys toward the metropolis of his enemy:

186. Let him be much on his guard against every 'secret friend in the service of the hostile prince, and

against emissaries, who go and return; for in such friends he may find very dangerous foes.

187. On his march let him form his troops, either like a staff, or in an even column; like a wain, or in a wedge with the apex foremost; like a boar, or in a rhomb with the van and rear narrow and the centre broad; like a Macara or sea-monster, that is, in a double triangle with apices joined; like a needle,

or in a long line; or like the bird of VISHNU, that

is, in a rhomboid with the wings far extended :

188. From whatever side he apprehends danger,

to that side let him extend his troops; and let him always conceal himself in the midst of a squadron formed like a lotos-flower.

189. Let him cause his generals and the chief com'mander

CHAP. mander under himself, to act in all quarters; and 'from whatever side he perceives a design of attack

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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 sustaining a charge and in charging, who are fearless and incapable of desertion.

191. Let him at his pleasure order a few men to 6 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 Curueshétra, near Indraprest' ha, in Matsya, or Viráta, in Punchálu, or Cányacubja,

' 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

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. 6 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 abandoning fear:

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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,

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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;

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