s when pressure is directed towards it. In the Santi
Parva occurs the detailed conversation between the Ocean and the Rivers.
The former enquired why, when the Rivers washed down the largest trees,
they could not wash into the Ocean a single cane. The answer was that the
cane was yielding; the trees were not so.

18. War and peace are each of two kinds, i.e., war with a strong foe and
that with a weak foe: peace with a strong foe and that with a weak foe.
The Bengal texts wrongly read dividhopayam or vividhopayam.

19. I expand this verse a little, following the commentator.

20. Strength is of three kinds, as explained in the next verse.

21. Utsaha is readiness or alacrity, of the forces to attack the foe:
prabhusakti is the complete mastery of the king over his forces, i.e.,
through discipline. By strength of counsels, in this connection, is meant
well-formed plans of attack and defence.

22. Maulam is explained as the strength of money. In modern warfare also,
money is called 'the sinews of war'. Atavivala or the force consisting of
foresters, was, perhaps, the body of Irregulars that supported a regular
army of combatants. Bhritavala implies the regular army, drawing pay from
the state at all times. In India, standing armies have existed from
remote times. Sreni-vala is, perhaps, the forces of artisans, mechanics,
and engineers, who looked after the roads and the transport, as also of
traders who supplied the army with provision.

23. A sakata array was an array after the form of a car. It is described
in Sukraniti fully, and occurs in the Drona Parva, ante. The Padma is a
circular array with angular projections. It is the same with what is now
called the starry array, many modern forts being constructed on this
plan. The Vajra is a wedge-like array. It penetrates into the enemy's
divisions like a wedge and goes out, routing the foe. It is otherwise
called suchivyuha.

24. i.e., meet the foe whether within his own kingdom or invade the foe's
realm and thus oblige the foe to fall back for resisting him there.

25. i.e., for obtaining fame here and felicity hereafter.

26. Those who die become at first what is called Preta. They remain so
for one year, till the Sapindikarana Sraddha is performed. They then
become united with the Pitris. The gifts made in the first Sraddha as
also in the monthly ones, have the virtue of rescuing the Preta or
bringing him an accession of merit. The gifts in annual Sraddhas also