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56
 
Political Concepts in Ancient India
 
weaker King. This is discussed in detail by
Kautilya in AS' XII.
 
ASANA (1) Maintaining a post against an enemy
standing firm so as to repel a charge, (opp. Yana).
 
(2) It is one of the six modes of foreign-policy,
together called Sadgunya (c.v.)
 
(3) It is also sometimes called Upekşana (AS
VII. 1, Kulluka on Manu Sam VII. 160),
Upekṣā (Mitākṣarā on Yajnavalkya, I. 347),
Sthana (Manu Sam VII. 190) and Avasthāna
(Kulluka on Manu Sam VII. 190).
 
(4) Kautilya observes that Sthana, Asana and
Upekşana are synonymous. But yet there are
slight differences, when the Aggressor being
equal in strength with the Enemy waits for a
further increase in his strength it is called Asana.
When the strength of the former is less than that
of the latter, it is called Sthana, and when there
is indifference in respect of the application of the
expedients (Upayas), it is called Upeksana.¹
ASĀRA (1) Asara is an ally who belongs to the
rear of the Aggressor (Vijīgişu), while the ally
belonging to a territory which stands ahead of the
Aggressor is called Mitra. (AS'. VII. 4 etc.).³
 
8. Cf. upekşanam āsanam (AS' VII. 1).
 
9. Cf. sthānam āsanam upekṣaṇam cetyāsanaparyāyah (AS
VII. 4).
 
1. Cf. vis'eşastu-gunaikadese sthānam, svavyddhi-prāptyartham
ā sanamupāyānām aprayoga upekṣaṇam iti (AS' VII. 4).
 
2. Cf. mitram akrandas'ca me s'uravrddhānu-raktaprakṛtih
(AS' VII. 4).
 
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UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN