<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Does it also say that 'Kshatriya' dharma is to wage a righteous or just war? If yes, how do you determine which is the just war and which is the just/righteous party? <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Arthashastra talks about KootaYuddha (covert warfare), use of mercenaries, use of assasins, and also arson. Kshatriyas are taught to fight FOR justice, and not by just means.
If suppose, a Kshatriya had a trustworthy protectorate and suddenly wants to usurp his kingdom, squishing his army or breaking treaties without warning, or invading friendly territories etc are unjust wars. On the other hand, finding the MOST EFFECTIVE way to thwart enemies by forging alliances, eliminating a wicked king, expanding territories thru peaceful means (rajasuya) or thru war is still fine.
The utmost priority of a Kshatriya was to fecilitate Dharma in his kingdom, and to make sure that Law and Order was maintained.
Sri Bhagavaan, in the Bhagavad Geetha, mentions seven qualities that are in-born to a Kshatriya. Shouryam (Heroism), Tejas (Brilliance), Druthi (Ability to remember lotsa things, or be determined), Dhaakshyam (Resourceful?), Yuddhe Apalayanam (not running away from confrontation), Dhaanam (Generosity), Ishwara Bhaavam (Being Majestic; High power Leadership etc).
Defending any war that's forced on you is just. Protecting your subjects is the foremost reason to go to war. Pre-emptive war is Dharma Yuddham.
BTW, Dharma Yuddham is not a war fought by Just MEANS, but a war fought to attain Just ENDS. If Dharma prevails at the end, it is Dharma Yuddham.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->how did the Kaurav camp manage to get a huge coalition on its side - on what basis of morality and justness? <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Kauravas (aka Dhaartharashtras) had a lead-start advantage with a standing army of Hasthinapura and Indraprastha together. They did not have to start collecting ppl from scratch. They also had enough money to get alliances. Angaraaja Karna too had done a Dhigvijaya yatra to collect some minor kings for Dhuryodhana. Also the Kauravas had negotiated with Krishna Vasudeva for his Narayana sena.
Pandavas relied on the allies like Drupadha, and his allies. They did not have much to offer except Dharma (i.e. their stance that they had the right to Indraprastha.) The battle of Kurukshetra was fought for Dharma, not thru dharma.
Arthashastra talks about KootaYuddha (covert warfare), use of mercenaries, use of assasins, and also arson. Kshatriyas are taught to fight FOR justice, and not by just means.
If suppose, a Kshatriya had a trustworthy protectorate and suddenly wants to usurp his kingdom, squishing his army or breaking treaties without warning, or invading friendly territories etc are unjust wars. On the other hand, finding the MOST EFFECTIVE way to thwart enemies by forging alliances, eliminating a wicked king, expanding territories thru peaceful means (rajasuya) or thru war is still fine.
The utmost priority of a Kshatriya was to fecilitate Dharma in his kingdom, and to make sure that Law and Order was maintained.
Sri Bhagavaan, in the Bhagavad Geetha, mentions seven qualities that are in-born to a Kshatriya. Shouryam (Heroism), Tejas (Brilliance), Druthi (Ability to remember lotsa things, or be determined), Dhaakshyam (Resourceful?), Yuddhe Apalayanam (not running away from confrontation), Dhaanam (Generosity), Ishwara Bhaavam (Being Majestic; High power Leadership etc).
Defending any war that's forced on you is just. Protecting your subjects is the foremost reason to go to war. Pre-emptive war is Dharma Yuddham.
BTW, Dharma Yuddham is not a war fought by Just MEANS, but a war fought to attain Just ENDS. If Dharma prevails at the end, it is Dharma Yuddham.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->how did the Kaurav camp manage to get a huge coalition on its side - on what basis of morality and justness? <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Kauravas (aka Dhaartharashtras) had a lead-start advantage with a standing army of Hasthinapura and Indraprastha together. They did not have to start collecting ppl from scratch. They also had enough money to get alliances. Angaraaja Karna too had done a Dhigvijaya yatra to collect some minor kings for Dhuryodhana. Also the Kauravas had negotiated with Krishna Vasudeva for his Narayana sena.
Pandavas relied on the allies like Drupadha, and his allies. They did not have much to offer except Dharma (i.e. their stance that they had the right to Indraprastha.) The battle of Kurukshetra was fought for Dharma, not thru dharma.