In ancient Indian war , a set of universal rules was strictly followed. Any warrior's resorting to their violation was a disgrace to him and the warrior class disdained such fighters. Even when defeat stared at them, true warriors wouldn't override those rules .
The rules broadly covered two aspects, though the first one is well covered within the second one . One, how one should conduct himself in the war course . Two, how he should carry on the war with the opponents .
Now, let us see some details of the code of conduct in the war .
- Usually , among humans , the war began with sunrise and ended with sunset . Intervals for food etc. were not specifically mentioned but the fighters had their choice to get refreshed when they felt like it . Saathyaki got himself refreshed with wine before taking up a special big assignment in the 14 th day war .
- Should not run away from the war out of fear of defeat or death . That was the worst disgrace to a warrior.
- Should not continue the war once the signal was given for conclusion of war for the day.
- Should not shoot at a fleeing opponent .
- Should not wound a fainted opponent .
- Should not shoot at an opponent who had no arms or who had laid them in resignation of fight . Dhrishtadyumna resorted to break this rule when he chopped the head of Drona after the latter had laid the arms and sunk into meditation .
- Should not willingly shoot at non-fighting service providers such as porters of luggage and attendants.
- Should not kill an enemy who accepted defeat and begged for life .
- Should not shoot at an unmounted opponent if he himself was mounted . Karna mentioned about this rule to Arjuna on the 17th day of the war .
- Unless agreed by the opponent, many warriors should not en-mass attack a single one. In case of Abhimanyu , Kouravas failed to observe this rule .
- Should not use divine asthras against opponents who had no knowledge of them . Drona was tainted for doing so during his leadership .
- Should not shoot at the enemy from behind i.e. without his knowledge. Karna did so against Abhimanyu on the 13 th day .
- Should not shoot at an opponent who was solely engaged with another and did not invite others to fight . A violation of this rule was made by none other than Arjuna himself , though at the behest of Krishna, on the 14 th day of the war .
- The rules prescribed for a particular genre of fight should be strictly followed .For example, in mace fighting , hitting below the navel was prohibited . A case of violation of this rule , in the climax fight between Bheema and Duryodhana , was a question of heated debate .
- Sleeping people were never to be attacked . Ironically, the war ended with such a deridable attack on the sleeping camp of the Paandavas by Asvaththaama on the 18th day night .
- When challenged for a fight, a warrior should only accept , as a standard of pure heroism . It was this rule that sent Arjuna away from the main war-field to accept the challaange of the Samshapthakas on the 12th 13th days , which cost him his dear son Abhimanyu on the 13 th day .
Besides, all the generally followed moralities were appllicable in war too . Such as lying , betraying etc. were unseemly of true warriorship . But, numerous counter examples can be given . Yudhishthira lied to Drona about Asvahthaama's death . Drona allowed Arjuna to advance towards Jayadratha though he promised to stop him to save the latter . A charioteer should always encourage his rider but Shalya did otherwise . A thouroughly fatigued enemy may be allowed to recoupe as in Raamaayana where Raama allowed the almost collapsed Raavana, but the Paandavas goaded Duryodhana to fight and die . Yudhishthira's praying Bheesma to reveal the way to kill him and the latter's obliging were both regarded as immoral . Arjuna's hitting Bheesma from behind Shikhandi too was equally decried . Asvaththaama's directing his missile to the distruction of the feutus in the womb was profusely reproached by all . All these instances were immoral though not essentially illegal . What can be spoken of morality when legality itself was thrown to the air !
Also, some heroes have their own personal principles in the war . Example, Bheeshma wouldn't engage himself in fighting with a woman or woman-turned-man . Nor would he kill a childless or brotherless one . Karna didn't kill other Paandavas though he could have, bound by his promise to Kunthi . Bheema was to kill all the 100 Kouravas himself and other warriors of his side obliged by not killing them .
Thus we see that the rules framed were of high standards but deviations were found everywhere. As the war progressed , especially after Bheeshma's fall , the tendancy to disregard the code increased and it culminated in the massacre of the sleeping soldiers .
Interestingly , everyone who violated the rule had an explanation of his own which was seemingly plausible !
"After praying to Naaraayana, Nara, Sarasvathi and Vyaasa, then one should read the Jayam."