egards forts, that which has walls and
a trench full of water on every side and only one entrance, is worthy of
praise. In respect of invading foes, resistance may be offered from
within it. In pitching the camp, a region lying near the woods is
regarded as much better than one under the open sky by men conversant
with war and possessed of military accomplishments. The camp should be
pitched for the troops not far from such a wood. Pitching the camp at
such a place, planting the foot-soldiers in a position of safety, and
collision with the foe as soon as he comes, are the means for warding off
danger and distress. Keeping the constellation called Ursa Major[295]
behind them, the troops should fight taking up their stand like hills. By
this means, one may vanquish even foes that are irresistible. The troops
should be placed in such a position that the wind, the sun, and the
planet Sukra[296] should blow and shine from behind them. As means for
ensuing victory the wind is superior to the Sun, and the Sun is superior
to Sukra, O Yudhishthira. Men conversant with war approve of a region
that is not miry, not watery, not uneven, and not abounding with bricks
and stone, as well-fitted for the operations of cavalry. A field that is
free from mire and holes is fitted for car-warriors. A region that is
overgrown with bushes and large trees and that is under water is fitted
for elephant-warriors. A region that has many inaccessible spots, that is
overgrown with large trees and topes of cane bushes, as also a
mountainous or woody tract, is well-fitted for the operations of
infantry. An army, O Bharata, which has a large infantry force, is
regarded very strong. An army in which cars and horsemen predominate is
regarded to be very effective in a clear (unrainy) day. An army, again,
in which foot-soldiers and elephants predominate becomes effective in the
rainy season. Having attended to these points (about the characters of
the different kinds of forces and the manner of marching, quartering, and
leading them), the king should turn his attention to the characteristics
of place and time. That king, who having attended to all these
considerations, sets out under a proper constellation and on an
auspicious lunation, always succeeds in obtaining victory by properly
leading his troops. No one should slay those that are asleep or thirsty
or fatigued, or those whose accoutrements have fallen away, or one that
has set his heart on final emanc