भारतीय इतिहास के ६ स्वर्णिम पृष्ठ (वीर सावरकर - विदेशी आक्रान्ताओं पर विजय गाथा)

at their breasts! One more thing can be adduced in support of the martial spirit of the Vedic Indians of the time of Chandragupta-Chanakya, who were ever prepared to protect the national boundaries. 169. It is interesting to note how martial prowess has been extolled in glowing terms in the famous treatise, ‘Arthshastra’ of Chanakya, which mainly guided the administration of the magnificent Indian empire of Chandragupta. According to Chanakya’s treatise, all the varnas including the Brahmins, had free access to the military service. अमर्याद प्रवृत्तेच शत्रुभिस्स॑गरे कृते। सर्वेवर्णाश्च दृश्येयुः शस्त्रवन्तो युधिष्ठिर॥ (In the event of an extensive war with the enemy, O Yudhisthir, all the classes of people should be seen well-armed with weapons.) This was the tradition of the Vedic Hindus! When such a large imperial army entered the battlefield in order to face the enemy, the emperor, dictates Chanakya, himself was to address the whole four-fold army in the following way: “वेदेष्वप्यनुश्रूयते समाप्तदक्षिणाम् यज्ञानामवभृतस्त्रानेषु या ता गतिः शूराणामिति। क्षपेन तामाप्यतियान्ति शूराः प्रणान् युयुध्येषु परित्यजन्ति। तुल्यभोगोस्मि भवद्भिः सहभोग्यमिंद राज्यम्। परान् हन्तव्यम्।” (The brave warriors enjoy the same bliss as the one which is obtainable through the final ceremonial bath after the completion of sacrifices—it is vouchsafed by the Vedas! In the righteous war, the warriors sacrificing their lives go instantly to the same blissful state (in heaven). This kingdom is to be enjoyed by you as well as it is by me. Then, why wait. Fall upon the enemy, and annihilate them!) 171. Who can tell, even Chandragupta himself might have thus inspired his Indian fighting forces, when they marched upon Seleucos! 172. The war, which beats down unjustifiable aggression, protects the virtuous people and destroys the wicked ones, is never considered ‘violent’ by the Vedic religion. It is called a religious war (a righteous war!). 173. At the time of Alexander, the Vedic propagandists had been going round, kindling the fire of heroism and bravado in order to fight such a