Political History of Ancient India, from the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty c9.s10.11

c9.s10.11

Several scholars assert that Vairājya means a kingless state. But in the *Aitareya Brāhmaṇa* ¹ a king consecrated with Indra’s great unction is called *Virāṭ* and worthy of *Vairājya*. When a king consecrated with the *Punarabhisheka* (renewed anointment) ascends his *Āsandī* or throne, he prays for attaining *Vairājya* as well as other kinds of royal dignity. Sāyaṇa takes the word *Vairājyam* to mean pre-eminence among kings, *itarebhyo bhūpatibhyo vaiśishṭyam*. This is virtually the sense of the word that Dr. Keith accepts in his translation.