Political History of Ancient India, from the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty c9.s10.37

c9.s10.37

⁸ Reference may be made in this connection to the passages of the *Aitareya Brāhmaṇa* (*e.g.*, VIII. 12) describing the choice and consecration of divine rulers (Ghoshal, *A History of Hindu Political Theories*, 1927, p. 26), and notices of royal election in post-Vedic texts looking back to an early period, *e.g.*, *Mbh*., I. 94. 49—*rājātve taṁ prajāḥ sarvā dharmajña iti vavrire*. The expression king-maker (*rāja-kartṛi*, *Ait. Br.* VIII. 17; *Śat. Br.* III 4. 1. 7) points to the important part played by officials including headmen of villages in the choice of the ruler. Both in the Vedic texts (*Ait. Br.* VIII. 12) and the epic emphasis is laid on the possession of moral qualities. The leader on whom the choice falls is *ojishṭha*, *balishṭha*, *sahishṭha*, *sattamaḥ*, *pārayishṇutama*, *dharmajña*. In the fourth century B C. physical beauty carried the palm in one territory (Kathaia in the Punjab according to Onesikritos).