Extract from Wikipedia Brahmanical Tradition Cosmogony and the Antediluvian history [ edit ] According to the Vedic traditions, human history proceeds in cycles, dependent on the evolutions and dissolutions of the world. Time is divided into four ages – Krita Yuga , Treta Yuga , Dvapara Yuga and Kali Yuga – collectively forming one Maha Yuga . Seventy-one Mahayugas form a Manvantara , a period of time over which a Manu presides. In each cycle, this Manu is the first man and also the first king and lawgiver. Every Manvantara has its own set of Indra , gods and seven sages. Fourteen Manvantara create a Kalpa (aeon) , after which the creation comes to a close in a periodical destruction called Pralaya . After that, the creation starts all over again in an endless cycle of evolutions and dissolutions. The traditions relate that the present Kalpa is called Varaha . Out of the fourteen manvantaras ...
1.Strategic Theory in the Indian Context
In India one of the foremost Strategic thinker and a political realist is Kautilya or Chanakya and the book he wrote on Statecraft,Politics,Leadership and Strategy,Administration and Economy is called Arthashastra and he also wrote a book called Chanakya Neeti and the main point in this strategy book is the principle of RajaMandala which means the circle of enemy and friendly states surrounding the Kings state and the application of Sama,Dana,Bheda,Danda,Upeksha,Indrajala and Maya.
Extract from Wikipedia
Upayas (diplomacy)
Upayas is a Sanskrit word that means "approaches", "to come into any state or condition" and "to come near or towards".It also refers to methods of diplomacy found in Hinduism and Jainism texts. Kautilya mentioned four Upayas - Sama, Dana or Dama, Danda and Bheda as ways to reach to a solution in state politics to avoid conflicts and war situations.This phrase is also commonly used when you need to find a solution to a problem anyhow. 1.Sama, the first step, means conciliation or alliances.When the situation of conflict arises between states, the firsts step is to talk. 2.Dana, the second, means gifts or compensation. Sometimes it is referred to as Dama, price, it means to pay the value. 3.Danda refers to force or armaments. To take up war with the opposite state. 4. Bheda, refers to usage of Logic or Trickery, influence the mind.
An article on Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses website states that the 20th-century power-politics theoretician Hans J. Morgenthau suggests similar four methods in a struggle for balance of power: Divide and Rule; Compensation; Armaments; and Alliances. These four approaches are found in the Hindu Itihasa (epics) and the Dharmasastras, as well as the Jain text Nitivakyamitra
Extract from Wealthy Matters.com
The Kshatriyas Way There are seven techniques/upayas at the disposal of Kshatriyas to carry out their duties: 1. Sama – “The Art of Gentle Persuasion” 2. Dana – The Art of Generous Donations to achieve one’s purpose” 3. Bheda – “The Art of aggravating dissension amongst parties opposed to each other” 4. Danda – “The Art of Punishment” 5. Maya – “The Art of Illusions or deceit” 6. Upeksha – “The Art of deliberately ignoring people so as to achieve one’s purpose” 7. Indrajala – “The Art of Jugglery” ,Sama, Dana, Bheda, Danda are the 4 political methodologies prescribed by the Hindu scriptures to approach any given situation.The remaining 3 are from the Arthashastra. Start with conciliation or gentle persuasion (Sama).The best is a perfect meeting of minds. Sama also means equality.Give the other person respect and a fair share during negotiations.If that does not help, offer money/material wealth (Dana) or bribery in case of the Arthashastra. Titles,marriage alliances etc are included.Basically see if a political sacrifice would work.At this stage you might have to give up more than what seems a fair share.If that still does not change the status quo, use a threat that something unwanted may happen if proper steps are not taken to bring about a conciliation, else cause dissension (Bheda) among the opposing parties so that you don’t have to face their combined might. Bheda also means discrimination. Start treating the other person differently while you warn them that there is a limit to anything.Lastly,use punishment or violence (Danda) to resolve the situation where the previous three fail.But where you really or metaphorically speaking,take an iron rod and beat your opponent on the head in a way that he would never again be able to get up to continue the conflict be very careful about one thing,he also may have an iron rod with him.If you go for the second option first you risk having to give away more than you have to.Also you will be taken for granted.If you go straight to the third one,the conflict will take a different route and there is always the danger that you will needlessly provoke someone to set out to teach you a lesson.If you choose the fourth option straight away,you will lose your reputation and set anarchy in motion.Sooner or later you will be expelled from the system by the same means. Fighting wastes resources and diminishes the productive capacity so to try to avoid needless conflicts. Use of illusions or deceit (Maya), deliberately ignoring people (Upeksha), use of jugglery (Indrajala) are additionally suggested by the Arthashastra to resolve situations. Usually Sama is advised to be used on Brahmanas for they accept truth even if they are in trouble,Dana on Vaisyas where some privileges or monopoly is given to them,Bheda on Sudres as they are neither intelligent nor brave nor motivated by money,Dhanda is for Kshatriyas for it is believed that they will not accept truth,nor can they be influenced by money or threatened. The upayas are still in use today. Sama -promises are made by politicians Dana – Governments sanction reservations, grant permissions etc Bheda – Bureaucrats and politicians frighten to extract money Dhanda – Punishments are handed down by cancelling licenses,withdrawing privileges etc.
Apart from this there is another text called PanchaTantra which talks about five principles of Strategy 1.Mitra Labha - Gaining or Winning of friends - Securing Allies 2.Mitra Bheda - Causing Dissension among friends or losing friends - On causing Dissension among Allies 3.Kakolukiyam - Crows and Owls- On War and Peace The story of fight between Crows and Owls 4.LabhdaPranasam- Loss of Gains 5.Apariksitakarakam- Ill Considered Actions or Hasty Actions These two frameworks are very important frameworks of Strategy mentioned in the old historical literature in India and these frameworks are still useful to people in Politics,Business and in everyday life.
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