Page:War in ancient India.djvu/111

Rh prominently and it still exists It is four cubits in height, bent at three places and with a tusk-like opening 8 We are told that the bow-string should be taken by the right hand and bent by the left The thumb should be placed on the arrow Two stiings are invariably used for a bou. The left-hand portion of the bowman must possess a defensive leather aimoui, and a quiver is to be hung from his neck Fourteen different movements in the piactice and use of this weapon are given. The word ustia in the sukianītı is inteipzeted by Dr Oppeit as a bow 10 But to intei piet it as an arrow seems to be inore coi rect 11 The Agnepurāna furnishes details of a bow The rod of a bow may be made of any of the three materials, steel, horn, or wood 12 The strings may be made of the fibre of bamboo or other tiees The rod of a wooden bow was four cubits or six feet in length, and that of middling or inferior class measured a cubit less Thick substances were wrapped round the grip so as to make the shaft of the bow steady and also easy The bow made of steel must have a small giip, and its middle poition is said to resemble the eyebrow of a lady It is usually made in parts, or together and inlaid with gold The horns used in the making of bows are those of a buffalo, rhinoceros, or rohisa and of the mythical animal sarabha, while the wood is of sandal, 8 Nitz, II 17 and IV 8-9 9 Tord, TV 18-20 10 Sukra, IV 6-10 11 Iord The term astra means a missile, anything which is discharged Agneya astra means a fiery arm as distinguished from a firearm For a firearm means any weapon projected by means of fire 12 Agni Purāna, 245 56 and 7-10