Encouragement to One’s own Army

Encouragement to One`s own Army mentions in Chapter III of Book X in Arthashastra, that as the army proceeds to attack the enemy and enter into open as well as treacherous fight with the enemy`s army, it shall need a lot of encouragement and boosting. A virtuous king when calls his army together and confirms them the time and place of the battle may proceed by declaring that" I am a paid servant like yourselves; this country is to be used by me along with you while you have to strike the enemy specified by me". In case of priests and ministers, they can encourage the army by saying that the Vedas have declared the goal which is reached by the sacrifices, after performing the final ablution in sacrifices for which the priests have been duly paid off, is the very goal of the brave men who are destined to attain it. It further enlists two categories which include the oneofthe Brahmans who shall, desirous to getting into heaven, attain together with all their sacrificial benefits will proceed to loose their lives in the battle and step into the doors of heaven after the meet their end in the battle. The second lot includes those who shall refuse to do for what they have been paid off without giving any return to their master, shall reach hell on their demise.

Encouragement to One`s own Army also includes a third method of encouraging the army that is through astrology. With this it has been suggested to the king and his followers should follow a pious life, a day before the battle should fast and lie down in the chariot with weapons, should also make oblations by enchanting mantras of the Atharvaveda, cause prayers to be offered with the good of the victors as well as for those who attain to heaven by fighting in the war. Soothsayers and court bards should describe heaven as the goal of the brave while hell for the timid; and also extol the caste, corporation, family, deeds and the character of his men.

Thus Encouragement to One`s own Army mainly includes the moral boosting of the army who stands as the strength of the invader. Kautilya puts a lot of stress on such encouragement as the success of the invader depends on the stamina the army which has to pass through all difficult circumstances. As such it remains important to ensure that they don`t collapse in between leading to failure.