The Vedas on Wars

Several references to wars, their conduct and the techniques employed in them may be found in the Vedas and the Purānās. L.M. Singhvi, in his foreword to one English translation of the Ŗg Veda (Satya Prakash and Vidyalankar, 1980), said that in the Vedic vision of human society, men were not seen to be aggressive, oppressive or predatory in nature, but rather they were under an obligation to protect and preserve and to aid and comfort mankind everywhere. A Ŗg Vedic hymn talks about togetherness which shines down on a fractured and fragmented world out of whose womb the new world order is struggling to be born (Ŗg 6.75.14 and Ŗg 10.101.2). But it is noteworthy though, to find how persistently, sonorously and prayerfully the Ŗg Vedic Samhita calls upon the cosmic forces to accept the sacrifices being offered and ensure that enemies are subdued in war.

The gods are described as being well equipped for war with transport, weapons, armour and the strength and intent to slay the enemy. The heavenly architects and technicians – Rbhu, Vibhu and Vaja were associated with roadways, airways and waterways respectively (Ŗg 40.4.33, 9.34.1). Rbhu (a word derived from Uru) was associated with Indra, i.e. with mid space (both airways and spacecraft). Vaja was the artificer of the gods, looking after them as well as the roadways and chariots. Vibhu (from Vaibhava meaning rich and powerful) was associated with Varuna or the oceans i.e. waterways and ships.