Soldier: 2 definitions

Introduction
Image gallery
In Hinduism
1. Shilpashastra
India history
See also

Introduction:

Soldier means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

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In Hinduism

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (shilpa)

Soldiers or Warriors refers to a certain class of personalities which follows specific guidelines in the tradition of ancient Indian Painting (citra), according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—The pictures of warriors should express the feeling of heroism. That is why the face of a soldier is instructed as to be painted with frowns and the face should have powerful and arrogant look. Thus the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa establishes the fact that even in the pictures; the people belonging to different class and profession [e.g., soldier] were projected with specific attire so that general people can equate the picture with the practical character. The dress of soldiers accordingly should be quite short and the expert archers should be dressed up in such a way that it reveals their thighs.

context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

India history and geography

Source: Singhi Jain Series: Ratnaprabha-suri’s Kuvalayamala-katha (history)

Soldiers (fighting with weapons on the battle-field) were commonly depicted on the Saṃsāracakra paintings (representing scenes of human life), in ancient India, as mentioned in the Kathās (narrative poems) such as Uddyotanasūri in his 8th-century Kuvalayamālā (a Prakrit Campū, similar to Kāvya poetry).—Page 185.21 f.: Here follows a description of a printed scroll illustrating the Jaina conception of saṃsāracakra. [...] The saṃsāra-cakra illustrated the three worlds of hell, human world and the world of gods. [For example:] A recluse sitting on a palankeen and invited by the king; a soldier fighting with weapons on the battle-field.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Relevant text

Search found 254 books and stories containing Soldier, Soldiers, The soldiers; (plurals include: Soldiers, Soldierses, The soldierses). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Soldier Welfare Measures < [Chapter 5]

War Finance (Introduction) < [Chapter 5]

War Finance (Awards and Rewards) < [Chapter 5]

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Verse 7.97 < [Section VIII - Duties in Battle (saṅgrāma)]

Verse 9.275 < [Section XXXVIII - Treatment of Criminals and their Punishment]

Verse 7.13 < [Section I - Important Position of the King (rājan)]

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Part 9: Advance to battle < [Chapter V]

Part 3: War between the Rākṣasas and Vānaras < [Chapter VII - The killing of Rāvaṇa]

Part 4: Conquest of Prabhāsatīrtha by Bharata < [Chapter IV]

+ 126 more chapters / show preview