Dharma Shastras - Rules of Warfare

We have seen the rules of marriage , etc. previously and now let's llook at what Manu talks about the rule of warfare.

The primary duty of a king as per Dharma Shastras is to protect  the kingdom and public. Here Manu elaborates the rules  and code of conduct of war.

AhaveShu mitho.anyonyaM jighA.nsanto mahIkShitaH |
yudhyamAnAH paraM shaktyA svargaM yAntyaparA~NmukhAH 

Desc: Those kings who, seeking to slay each other in battle, fight with the utmost exertion and do not turn back,go to heaven.
Note: Here Manu declares that, the Kings who would fight valorously against each others, without running away like cowards, will go to heaven for sure.

na kUTairAyudhairhanyAd.h yudhyamAno raNe ripUn.h |
na karNibhirnApi digdhairnAgnijvalitatejanaiH 

Desc: When he fights with his foes in battle, let him not strike with weapons concealed (in wood), nor with (such as are) barbed, poisoned, or the points of which are blazing with fire.
Note: Using deceptive means to win over in a war against an enemy is prohibited. We see that the Hindu rulers were defeated by Moguls and others as the Hindu rulers strictly adhered to these codes but the invaders would use all kinds of deceptive means to kill / defeat / win the enemy king(s).

na cha hanyAt.h sthalArUDhaM na klIbaM na kR^itA~njalim.h |
na muktakeshaM nAsInaM na tavAsmIti vAdinam.h 

Desc:Here Manu prohibits attacking the fol. ones in a war:

1. A Man, who has climbed on an elevated place.
2. A castrated person.
3. A man, who has folded his hands in mode of surrender.
4. A man, who tries to ran away with his hair flying.
5. A man, who has seated down (due to fear or fatigue).
6. A person, who surrenders by saying, " I am yours"

Note: Here we see that, even a King cannot kill / murder his own enemy under the above circumstances. Such is the extent f righteousness preached by Manu Shashtras.

na suptaM na visaMnAhaM na nagnaM na nirAyudham.h |
nAyudhyamAnaM pashyantaM na pareNa samAgatam.h

Desc: Here Manu once again continues his list of people, one should not attack in a war:

1. One who has fallen asleep.
2. One, who has lost his protective shield /armor.
3. One who is naked.
4. One who is with no weapons.
5. One, who is a spectator - just watching the fight from a distance.
6. One who is already fighting with another person

Declaring war against a person and attacking is not just an easy thing as one has to follow all these rules to be a righteous ruler. Opportunistic attackers (like the moguls) will be severely punished by Dharma. Aldo one my gain victory by deception, one can never escape the fire of Hell for having abolished the glorious Dharma.

nAyudhavyasanaprAptaM nArtaM nAtiparikShatam.h |
na bhItaM na parAvR^ittaM satAM dharmamanusmaran.h 

Desc: Manu's list for prohibition of attack goes on like as follows:

1. A man, who weapons are broken.
2. One afflicted with deep sorrow.
3. One who has been wounded painfully.
4. One who had turned away from the fight.
5. One who has been frightened

yastu bhItaH parAvR^ittaH sa~NgrAme hanyate paraiH |
bharturyad.h duShkR^itaM kiM chit.h tat.h sarvaM pratipadyate || 

Desc: A King, who has turned his back and ran away from the battle-field loses all his merit and the opponent gains all his merits. So, cowardice makes him lose all his merits.

Can we find any law or any country, more righteous than this script? Even the popular religious scriptures of other religions, advocate the spreading of their religion(s) by force etc.. It's just our religion, which preaches very righteous way even while fighting one's enemy.