The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c23.37

v1.c23.37

The government of the country described in legal literature is not different from that of the Sūtras, and in most respects agrees with the conditions represented in the epics, where government without a king is so well known as to be the object of the most severe condemnation; and it is regarded as essential that a king of good family should be at the head of the state. Slave-born kings are known in history but tabooed in law. The king is treated in the law-books under two heads, as general lord of the land and as judge and executioner.