The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c22.58

v1.c22.58

The epic king is no autocrat; he is upbraided and reproved by his brothers and ministers. If born to the throne and yet defective he is not permitted to become king ('the gods do not approve of a defective king,' *Mbh.*, v, 149, 25); but if elected he is the leader at home and in the field. He is consecrated by baptism with water poured over him from a sacred horn, and is crowned 'lord of the earth' (*Mbh.*, XII, 40 and *Rām.*, II, 69). Although the didactic part of the epic emphasises the importance of councillors and ministers, without whose sanction the king should undertake no important business, yet actually each king is represented as doing what seems good to him without advice, as the various warriors of the family make raids and rape young women from foreign districts without consultation. Indeed, the priest supposed to be special adviser is scarcely mentioned in that capacity, only as an agent in spiritual matters. Resolving on war the kings and allies decide the matter as they will, in the presence of priests, indeed, but the priests are ignored (*Mbh.*, v, 1 and I, 102). The *sabhā* or assembly is here simply a military body for consultation. Both priests and people are silent in the face of force. The king's city was defended by battlemented towers and seven moats. It was laid out in squares and the well-watered streets were lighted with lamps (*Mbh.*, III, 284, 3; xv, 5, 16, etc.). Only four squares are mentioned in the Rāmāyaṇa (II, 48, 19), but the Mahābhārata recommends six. The king's palace included or was near to the court of justice, the official gambling-hall, the music-room, the place for contests with wild beasts and for exhibits of wrestlers. Outside of the inner city were booths for traders, etc., and the less pretentious dwellings, with pleasure parks (*Mbh*., IV, 22, etc.). Apparently four gates were the usual number, but nine are mentioned and even eleven in other literature, and the Rāmāyaṇa gives eight to Laṅkā (VI, 93).