Philosophies of India

SR No.: 007309
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Heinrich Zimmer, Joseph Campbell
Publisher: Routledge and Kegan Paul Ltd
Publication Year: 1953
Total Pages: 709
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 34 MB

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THE SEVEN WAYS TO APPROACH A NEIGHBOR forth eight celestial elephants, which then were assigned to the four quarters of the world and the four points between, to stand as supports for the upper firmament. Elephants are called, therefore, sāmodbhava, “produced by sūman.”
We use sämun every day in meeting peoplc-when we say, "Hello!" "How do you do!" "So nice to meet you!" and then: "Good-bye!" "Do come see us soon!" Sāman in this social context the Sanskrit dictionary renders: "gentle words, mildness, gentleness." Sāman applied to politics is translated: "conciliatory or mild means, conciliatory conduct.” This would refer in modern practice to such devices as non-aggression pacts, the preliminary talks about them, the definition of respective spheres of influence and exploitation, and the pooling of resources.
2. The opposite pattern of approach is called danda, the rod of punishment-in the hand of the judge, or of a doorman chasing beggars and street-boys. Danda means "chastisement, pun. ishment, attack, assault, violence"; a cudgel, stick, staff; in army; control, subjection, restraint.” “The king should always keep the rod of punishment (danda) uplifted in his hand," declares the Mahābhārata.24 And we read in the book of Manu: “For the increasing of a kingdom, såman and danda are the two chief mcans.” 25 Briefly: Danda is aggression of whatever kind, whether outright and shameless, or hypocritically justificd as punishment for insult or sor a threatening attitude. It is an unbearable insult, for example, if an intended victim procecds to armament, or strikes an alliance with some stronger neighbor.
3. Dāna (Latin donum, English "donation"), "giving, present, gift," is the third recommended approach. In politics this is simply “bribery.” Dāna includes arrangements for the division of
24 Mahabhārala 12. 120.93 and again, 12. 140. 7. "A king should display severity in making all his subjects observe their respective duties. If this is not done, they will prowl like wolves, devouring one another" (Ib. 12. 142. 28.). Cf. also the political play Mudrārākşasa 1. 15. 26 Manava Dharmaśāstra 7. 109.
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