CHAPTER VI. THE ARRAY OF THE ARMY LIKE A
STAFF, A SNAKE, A CIRCLE, OR IN DETACHED
ORDER; THE ARRAY OF THE ARMY AGAINST THAT
OF AN ENEMY.
WINGS and front, capable to turn (against an enemy is what
is called) a snake-like array (bhoga); the two wings, the two flanks,
the front and the reserve (form an array) according to the school of
Brihaspati. The principal forms of the array of the army, such as
that like a staff, like a snake, like a circle, and in detached order, are
varieties of the above two forms of the array consisting of wings,
flanks and front.
Stationing the army so as to stand abreast, is called a
staff-like array (danda).
Stationing the army in a line so that one may follow the other,
is called a snake-like array (bhoga).
Stationing the army so as to face all the directions, is called a
circle-like array (mandala).
Detached arrangement of the army into small bodies so as to
enable each to act for itself, is termed an array in detached order
(asamhata).
That which is of equal strength on its wings, flanks and front,
is a staff-like array.
The same array is called pradara (breaking the enemy's array)
when its flanks are made to project in front.
The same is called dridhaka (firm) when its wings and flanks
are stretched back.
The same is called asahya (irresistible) when its wings are
lengthened.
When, having formed the wings, the front is made to bulge
out, it is called an eagle-like array.
The same four varieties are called "a bow," "the centre of a
bow," "a hold," and "a strong hold," when they are arranged in a
reverse form.
That, of which the wings are arrayed like a bow, is called
sanjaya (victory).
The same with projected front is called vijaya (conqueror);
that which has its flanks and wings formed like a staff is called
sthúlakarna (big ear); the same with its front made twice as strong
as the conqueror, is called visálavijaya (vast victory); that which
has its wings stretched forward is called chamúmukha (face of the
army); and the same is called ghashásya (face of the fish) when it is
arrayed in the reverse form.
The staff-like array in which one (constituent of the army) is
made to stand behind the other is called a pin-like array.
When this array consists of two such lines, it is called an
aggregate (valaya); and when of four lines, it is called an invincible
array--these are the varieties of the staff-like array.
The snake-like array in which the wings, flanks and front are
of unequal depth is called sarpasári (serpentine movement), or
gomútrika (the course of a cow's urine).
When it consists of two lines in front and has its wings
arranged as in the staff-like array, it is called a cart-like array; the
reverse of this is called a crocodile-like array; the cart-like array
which consists of elephants, horses and chariots is called
váripatantaka (?)--these are the varieties of the snake-like array.
The circle-like array in which the distinction of wings, flanks
and front is lost is called sarvatomukha (facing all directions), or
sarvatobhadra (all auspicious), ashtáníka (one of eight divisions),
or vijaya (victory)--these are the varieties of the circle-like array.
That, of which the wings, flanks and front are stationed apart
is called an array in detached order; when five divisions of the
army are arranged in detached order, it is called vajra (diamond),
or godha (alligator); when four divisions, it is called udyánaka
(park), or kákapadi (crow‟s foot); when three divisions, it is called
ardhachandrika (halfmoon), or karkátakasringi (?)--these are the
varieties of the array in detached-order.
The array in which chariots form the front, elephants the
wings, and horses the rear, is called arishta (auspicious).
The array in which infantry, cavalry, chariots and elephants
stand one behind the other is called achala (immovable).
The array in which elephants, horses, chariots and infantry
stand in order one behind the other is called apratihata
(invincible).
Of these, the conqueror should assail the pradara by means
of the dridhaka; dridhaka by means of the asahya; syena
(eagle-like array) by means of chápa (an array like a bow); a hold
by means of a strong-hold; sanjaya by means of vijaya;
sthúlakarna by means of visálavijaya; váripatantaka by means of
sarvatobhadra. He may assail all kinds of arrays by means of the
durjaya.
Of infantry, cavalry, chariots and elephants, he should strike
the first-mentioned with that which is subsequently mentioned; and
a small constituent of the army with a big one.
For every ten members of each of the constituents of the
army, there must be one commander, called padika; ten padikas
under a senápati; ten senápatis under a náyaka, (leader).
The constituents of the array of the army should be called
after the names of trumpet sounds, flags and ensigns. Achievement
- of success in arranging the constituents of the army, in gathering
the forces, in camping, in marching, in turning back, in making
onslaughts, and in the array of equal strength depends upon the
place and time of action.
* By the display of the army, by secret contrivances, by fiery spies
employed to strike the enemy engaged otherwise, by witch-craft,
by proclaiming the conqueror's association with gods, by carts, by
the ornaments of elephants;
* By inciting traitors, by herds of cattle, by setting fire to the camp,
by destroying the wings and the rear of the enemy's army, by
sowing the seeds of dissension through the agency of men under
the guise of servants;
* Or by telling the enemy that his fort was burnt, stormed, or that
some one of his family, or an enemy or a wild chief rose in
rebellion--by these and other means the conqueror should cause
excitement to the enemy.
* Thearrow shot by an archer may or may not kill a single man; but
skilful intrigue devised by wise men can kill even those who are in
the womb.
[Thus ends Chapter VI, “The Array of the Army like a Staff, a
Snake, a Circle, or in Detached Order; The Array of the Army
against that of an Enemy,”in Book X, “Relating to War,” of the
Arthasástra of Kautilya. End of the hundred and thirty-fourth
chapter from the beginning. With this ends the tenth Book
“Relating to War” of the Arthasástra of Kautilya.]
From: Kautilya. Arthashastra. Translated by R. Shamasastry.
Bangalore: Government Press, 1915, 437-453.