great sharpness and battle-axes, and spears and shields, should be manufactured and stored in abundance.  The weapons should all be properly whetted.  The soldiers should be inspired with courage and resolution.  It is proper to set the troops in motion in the month of Chaitra or Agrahayana.  The crops ripen about that time and water also does not become scarce.  That time of the year, O Bharata, is neither very cold nor very hot.  Troops should, therefore, be moved at that time.  If the enemy, however, be overtaken by distress, troops should immediately be set in motion (without waiting for such a favourable time).  These (two) are the best occasions for the motion of troops with a view to subjugate foes.  That road which has abundance of water and grass along it, which is level and easy of march, should be adopted (in moving the troops).  The regions lying near the road (on both its sides) should previously be well ascertained through spies possessed of skill and having an intimate knowledge of the woods.  The troops must not, like animals, be marched through woody regions.  Kings desirous of victory should, therefore, adopt good roads for marching their troops.  In the van should be placed a division of brave men, endued with strength and high birth.  As regards forts, that which has walls and a trench full of water on every side and only one entrance, is worthy of praise.  In respect of invading foes, resistance may be offered from within it.  In pitching the camp, a region lying near the woods is regarded as much better than one under the open sky by men conversant with war and possessed of military accomplishments.  The camp should be pitched for the troops not far from such a wood.  Pitching the camp at such a place, planting the foot-soldiers in a position of safety, and collision with the foe as soon as he comes, are the means for warding off danger and distress.  Keeping the constellation called Ursa Major[295] behind them, the troops should fight taking up their stand like hills.  By this means, one may vanquish even foes that are irresistible.  The troops should be placed in such a position that the wind, the sun, and the planet Sukra[296] should blow and shine from behind them.  As means for ensuing victory the wind is superior to the Sun, and the Sun is superior to Sukra, O Yudhishthira.  Men conversant with war approve of a region that is not miry, not watery, not uneven, and not abounding with bricks and stone, as well-fitted for the operations of cavalry.  A field that is free from mire and holes is fitted for car-warriors.  A region that is overgrown with bushes and large trees and that is under water is fitted for elephant-warriors.  A region that has many inaccessible spots, that is overgrown with large trees and topes of cane bushes, as also a mountainous or woody tract, is well-fitted for the operations of infantry.  An army, O Bharata, which has a large infantry force, is regarded very strong.  An army in which cars and horsemen predominate is regarded