Ancient Indian Historical Tradition c6.26

c6.26

Such were the widely different conditions of kings and rishis. The secular business of kings, their wars and exploits, naturally had little interest for rishis, who dwelt apart from the world and were affected little and only indirectly by political changes. On the other hand, though eminent rishis commanded veneration from kings and their services were at times keenly solicited and handsomely rewarded, yet the religious doctrines of the rishis lay generally outside the purview of kings, unless they were *brahmaṇya*, ‘brahmanically-minded’. Such was the attitude of the people also at large.