MAHABHARATA

SEE

Manusmriti, Arthashastra,
Mahabharata

The Doctrine
of Conflict
Resolution
Sama, Dana, Bheda, Danda

MEETANSHI GABA
PRN 19060322060
Theory of Diplomacy/ Conflict Resolution-
Sama, Dana, Bheda, Danda

Relevance to the Presentation and Course

MANUSMRITI

ARTHASHASTRA

MAHABHARATA

CONTENTS
Sama, Dana, Bheda, Danda
METHODS OF CONFLICT
RESOLUTION/ DIPLOMACY THEORY

Sama- conciliation with the opposition, negotiation and talk to resolve the conflict

Dama- gifts or compensation to the wronged

Bheda- division of the opposition's army, separation of allies using persuasion, trickery

Danda- punishment, waging of war, last resort

 Mahabharata as Itihasa
The Mahabharata is Itihasa, or the history of ancient India. The
understanding of Politics of Peace that prevailed during that Era becomes
important to understand the Battle of Kurukshetra.

Just War Theory

Relevance to the The conflict resolution methods as given in the Vedic Texts and elaborated
on by Kautilya are an essential component of the Just war Theory, too. One

Presentation and of the prerequisites for moral justifiability of war is the exhaustion of all
other methods of conflict resolution.

Course Relation with the Western Epics

The concept of negotiation and proposition of peace treaties by way of
settlement can also be seen in The Iliad by Homer, which is a Greek epic.
Understanding this also helps in the understanding of the political context
of other countries during that period.

Dharma and Adharma

Mahabharata, at its core, is said to be the Battle that brings about the
establishment of Dharma. The underlying principle of the conflict
resolution methods is the upholding of Dharma- Rajadharma, Kshatriya
Dharma.
 MANUSMRITI
By Manu
Composition: 2nd Century CE to 3rd
Century CE

- Rajadharma/Kshatriya Dharma

- Power of Danda keeping in mind

larger interest of the people

- Danda as last resort after all other

means of diplomacy have failed

- Usage of any or all means of

diplomacy to protect Kingship
 MANUSMRITI EXCERPTS
(from translation) (Khanda, Essence of Manusmriti)

"Alabdham chaiva lipseta labdham rakshet prayatnatah, rakshitam vardhaye - chchaiva vriddham
paatreshu nikshipet/Etachchaturvidham vidyaat purushaartha prayojanam, asya
nityamanushthaanam samyak kuryaadatandritah/"

"Aadaane cha visargamcha tathaa praisha nishedhayoh, panchameyaachaya vachane

vyavaharasya chekshane, dandayaa shuddhayot sta - thaa yuktatatenaa
-naashtagatikonripah/"

"Anityo vijayo yasmaad drishyate yudhyamaanayoh, paraajayashcha sangraame tasmaad yuddham

vivarjayet/"

"Dharmajnam cha kritajnam cha tushta prakritimevacha, anuraktam sthiraarambham laghumitram

prashasyate/ Praajnam kuleenam shuramcha daksham daataarameva cha, kritajnam dhritimantam
cha kashamaahurarimbudhaah/"
 ARTHASHASTRA
By Kautilya

Composition: 2nd Century CE to 3rd Century

CE

- The meaning of the four instruments of

diplomacy as per Kautilya (Upaya)

- Explains usage depending upon the

opponent

- Danda as last resort after all other means of

diplomacy have failed

- Example of the Upayas practical application

in the play, Mudrarakshasa by Shudraka
MAHABHARATA
By Vyasa

- Clear application of the instruments in

the Mahabharata

- Vidura's Conversation with Dhritrashtra

- Shanti Parva, Rajadharma

 Sama- Dana-
Drupada's envoy Krishna's peace
sent to Hastinapur, treaty

Sanjaya visits Asks for

Matsyanagari compensation for
the pandavas- five
Krishna on a peace villages
mission

Danda- Bheda-
No other method of Krishna talks to
conflict resolution Karna
worked
Karna's identity
Yudhishtira wages a war revealed to separate
to get back his Kingdom him from the
and punish the Kauravas
wrongdoers
picture credits- dadazi.net
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
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