Political History of Ancient India, from the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty c9.s10.161

c9.s10.161

*Āruṇeyaḥ Pañchālānāṁ Samitiṁ eyāya; taṁ ha Pravāhaṇo Jaivalir uvācha.*" The *Bṛihadāraṇyaka Upanishad*¹ uses the term *Parishad* instead of *Samiti*, "*Śvetaketur ha vā Āruṇeyaḥ Pañchālānāṁ Parishadamājagāma.*" The analogy of the Lichchhavi Parishā and of similar assemblies mentioned in Buddhist works shows that the functions of the Kuru and Pañchāla Parishads were not necessarily confined to philosophical discussions only. The *Jaiminīya Upanishad Brāhmaṇa*² refers to disputations (*saṁvāda*) and witnesses (*upa-drashtṛi*) in connection with popular assemblies, and informs us that the procedure among the Kurus and the Pañchālas was different from that of Śūdras. The people took part in the ceremony of royal inauguration.³ The *Dummedha Jātaka*⁴ refers to a joint assembly of ministers, Brāhmaṇas, the gentry, and the other orders of the people.