Fig. 234.
a. Javanese Blade showing Indian derivation. b. Hindú Sabre. From a bas-relief at Bijanagar.
The sage Vaishampáyana, a pandit or pedant lecturing on the Art of War, warns us that the ‘Efficiency of the weapon is subject to great changes. In different ages and places the quality of an arm is not the same, for the material and mode of construction greatly vary. Moreover, much depends upon the strength and ability of the person using such weapons, in preserving, increasing, or diminishing their efficiency.’ It may also be remarked that many of his weapons appear to be the results of a brain quickened by opium or hashísh.
The sage Shukra, or Preceptor of the Dæmons, also discourses learnedly, in his ‘Shukraniti,’ on armies and weapons, including firearms. The only practical part of chap. v. (Oppert, pp. 82–144) is his description of the lucky and unlucky marks on horses. The Arabs have a similar system, and a horse with inauspicious signs sells, however well bred, for a small sum. And there is wisdom in verse 242 (p. 124):—
A non-fighting King and a ne’er-faring Priest (Brahman)
Earth swallows as Snake the hole-dwelling beast.
As regards the Sword, Shukra says (Lib. iv. sect. vii. p. 109, verse 154):—
Ishadvaktrashcaikadháro vistáre chaturangulah
Kshurapránto nábhisamo drahamushtissucandraruk