বিষ্ণুধর্মোত্তর পুরাণে বর্ণিত যুদ্ধপদ্ধতি : একটি সমীক্ষাত্মক অধ্যয়ন/ Methods of Warfare Described in the Vishnu-dharmottara Purana : An Analytical Study

Abstract

The Vishnudharmottara Purana draws upon various earlier texts—such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, Bharata’s Natyashastra, Yajnavalkya Samhita, and Samkhya philosophy—incorporating quotations from them. Furthermore, while it shares content with works like the Agni Purana, Matsya Purana, and Manu Samhita—sometimes through verbatim reproduction, sometimes in summarized form, and at other times through such skillful selection—determining its precise origins becomes a highly difficult task. To transform this Purana into an encyclopedic work, various narratives were employed to present detailed information on topics such as mythology, cosmogony, geography, astronomy, astrology, politics, warfare, medicine, culinary arts, perfumery, horticulture, grammar, lexicography, drama, dance, vocal and instrumental music, sculpture, painting, architecture, urban planning, ancient arts, and temple construction. Although the political perspective in the Vishnu dharmottara Purana was formulated by drawing upon the Kautilya Arthashastra and, to some extent, the later Manusmriti and Yajnavalkya Smriti, we have not yet been able to ascertain the specific military strategies and tactics employed to achieve victory in warfare during that era. The Vishnudharmottara Purana identifies warfare as a primary source of state revenue, a concept embodied in the Chaturanga (four-fold) military system. In reality, however, cavalry was not regularly deployed; the Puranas placed greater reliance on infantry. Furthermore, cavalry was prioritized over elephant-borne troops. Chariot warriors were not frequently utilized, and there was absolutely no practice of training Arab soldiers, as such training was perceived as tantamount to treachery on the part of the cavalry.